New Jersey Law Podcast
May 9, 2022

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men

"12 Angry Men" was released a lifetime ago, but it has remained as a classic because it timelessly portrays the prejudices and emotions of 12 people.

A drama about a young man accused of murdering his father, 12 Angry Men explores the dynamics of a jury and their power to influence one another.

The movie also highlights the civic value of jury duty, which often carries an added burden. As a jury, you are responsible for passing judgment on the crime, and the weight of a mandatory death sentence is particularly heavy. In this movie, each member of the jury is charged with the burden of deciding the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

While the film doesn't identify the defendant's ethnicity, it does address the general prejudice of humankind. The most compelling scene is when juror number 10 goes on a bigoted rant and forces the other jurors to leave the jury table.

Twelve Angry Men, a 1957 American drama, inspired Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to pursue a career in law. The movie, adapted from Reginald Rose's 1954 teleplay, was made into a feature film by Sidney Lumet. It is widely regarded as one of the top ten films of all time.

The film was hilariously parodied in 1994 on the hit cartoon "The Simpsons". 

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For criminal defense in Ocean City, Margate, Sea Isle, and South Jersey, visit the Law Office of Meghan McCormick Hoerner at HoernerLaw.com 

This website is not a source of legal advice. Every case and jurisdiction is different. Contact an attorney if you require legal advice.

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