Legal lessons from "The Verdict", the iconic lawyer movie from 1982

[@michaelg.golden7327]

Terrific performance by Newman in a memorable role. The opening scene where Newman is falling against the office wall very drunk was great and I thought the scene where the nurse says "Who are these people?" in the testimony was great. Also, the finale of Newman's last speech was also memorable. I read the novel but Mamet's screenplay was outstanding. I agree that Newman was robbed of an Oscar for this performance.

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

Paul Newman was robbed of his Oscar for the Verdict. Total injustice!😢

[@paddyodriscoll8648]

The Verdict might be the best movie of all time.

[@brianwalsh1401]

Definitely one of them.

[@KNS1996DFS]

During the reading of the verdict, Bruce Willis is sitting next to Tobin Bell of The Firm and Saw fame.

[@bertroost1675]

Since the doctor knew what he did (previously) it was a little strange that he offered up such an answer to Paul Newman's question. That makes the film even more enjoyable. Also the interaction between Newman and the judge is excellent. I watch this film at least once a year.

[@ralphholiman7401]

Its a good legal movie. I've tried sixty jury trials, and its a lot more accurate than most litigation movies.

[@bertroost1675]

I wonder if it is common to send in a woman to seduce lawyers for information?

[@thomaslapsley7867]

Finally, what should have been looked at from a legal perspective is the title of this movie. I believe there was no "Absence of Malice." By definition "Absence of Malice" is a legal term often used in defamation law, referring to a situation where a statement is made without the intent to harm someone's reputation. "This term can also be a defense against charges such as malicious prosecution." In addition, malice is a legal concept that refers to the intention to commit an unlawful act without justification or excuse. It's a specific type of criminal intent that's often associated with more severe crimes like murder. I remember a case in New Jersey like this in 1984 where a man was murdered by several different institutions public and private and it was covered up and continues to be covered up till this day. This led to further organized crimes including murder without due process or any legitimate investigations linked to medical communities and churches. Drug gangs working with law firms to win cases. Police not able to prove a legal case so they hire drug gangs or enslave criminals in gangs with drugs and the help of medical professionals to be judge, jury, and executioner. Socrates would have strongly objected to what has happened to the government in New Jersey which continues to societally decline. What criminal demagoguery. In this movie, there was clear intent to harm not only Paul Newman but the women who had the abortion who lost her life, and certain individuals accused of being linked to organized crime who did nothing wrong. The newspaper, Sally Fields, the special task force, and the District Attorney all acted with actual malice. In defamation cases, especially those involving public figures, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant acted with actual malice. This means the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The newspaper, Sally Fields, the special task force, the District Attorney, and the special inquiry, at the end of the movie, all acted with actual malice. Hence, the wrong title for the movie. Perhaps a better name would be "Mens Rea."

[@bertroost1675]

"Board bar overseers"? Would the judge be correct in making a complain about Newman's telling the judge to stop losing his case for him? It would appear that the judge would get in hot water himself if the board found out why Newman's character said that.

[@coleenfottrell4102]

The doctor was “over prepared “ in my opinion. He sounded arrogant, callous and not a doctor I would want treating me. I think that’s what sank him with the jury. Of course the rebuttal witness helped. I loved it when the jury asked if the could award the plaintiff with more than what they asked for.

[@thomaslapsley7867]

On cross, the interrogating lawyer is allowed to treat you as hostile and can ask the courts to rein you in if you aren't directly answering their questions. You still can answer other than as directed, if you believe that the truthful and complete answer is more than can be contained in a "yes" or "no," but responding with rhetorical questions or irrelevant diversions is likely to draw a rebuke from the judge, and if you continue, contempt proceedings. Body language can be a significant factor in how a judge or jury perceives a witness or attorney and can impact their decision-making. But with today's technology, it's not right to judge a person by body language. Especially if the doctor sets up the body language with drugs. All of this is only meaningful if you can count on a fair trial a New Jersey court. Unfortunately, the reality in many courtrooms is far from just. In some jurisdictions, judges, prosecutors, and public defenders seem to collude, creating a system that prioritizes efficiency over justice. This troubling dynamic can lead to a presumption of guilt rather than a commitment to fair representation and due process. Also many times doctors collude with the above system. Further, the integrity of the court is often compromised by the involvement of medical professionals. Doctors may misrepresent facts or manipulate evidence to fit a narrative, further entrenching the injustices faced by defendants. When the very experts who should uphold the truth become players in a flawed system, it creates a dangerous cycle where lives are irrevocably altered based on misinformation and bias. Take a closer look at how individuals are moved through the court system. It's alarming to witness how quickly people are processed, often with little regard for the complexities of their situations. The court has morphed into a mechanized operation, prioritizing speed over scrutiny, and in doing so, it dehumanizes those caught in its gears. Each case becomes just another number in an overcrowded docket, with defendants treated as mere statistics rather than individuals with rights, histories, and the capacity for redemption. This mechanized approach to justice can lead to devastating outcomes-wrongful convictions, excessive sentences, and a lack of genuine rehabilitation. It’s crucial to recognize that behind every case number is a person whose future hangs in the balance. The system must shift from being an unthinking machine to one that truly values fairness, accountability, and humanity. We must advocate for reforms that ensure every individual receives a thorough and unbiased trial, where truth prevails over convenience and justice reigns over indifference. I wish I could find a lawyer willing to take on multiple cases, including civil rights action, and keep them open for potential future damages in New Jersey and NYC. It’s time for someone to stand up and fight for justice! There are so many pressing issues that need attention, and we need advocates who are committed to addressing systemic injustices. If any law firm is ready to step up to the plate for justice, I'm willing to spend the rest of my life in court testifying against corruption.

[@jandekker6008]

Wonderful point about using that 'defeated' demeanor on purpose!

[@mark-shane]

The judge told the jury to Disregard completely the Costallo testament with the 1 hour eaten before paper .. clearly they didnt, alot more legal stuff to discuss in this video that you havent

[@chrissilkwood5439]

I believe that decision was "movie drama" - in court, the record would have been tossed, but not her direct testimony that stated the doctor told her to revise her admittance form.

[@bertroost1675]

@@chrissilkwood5439 Can't a judge basically toss out a jury's decision anyway?

[@bertroost1675]

That was the point of Newman's summation, "you (the jury) are the final say)

[@chrissilkwood5439]

had I tried the case, I would have also added a gastro expert to testify how the food particles wound up in the her mouth well past the normal digestion timeframe of one hour.

[@yodatooba6444]

I clicked through and didn't see the scene of the prep by the Boston firm partner Concannon of the witness doctor.

[@paularnold1930]

It's there. And very funny. James M Is brilliance

[@thomaslapsley7867]

Why is this man in New Jersey not able to get a lawyer to represent him? The following sounds like a fictional story but I assure you it is not. It's horrifically true. The two individuals in this story are not the only ones in New Jersey who were murdered. There are a lot of mysterious deaths that are questionable in these communities. Where are our legal eagles in New Jersey? Here is part of the story. This man had always felt the weight of something unspoken in his life, a shadow lurking just beyond his memory. His father’s murder at the hands of police set up a head-on collision in front of the gas station he worked just a few years before as a teenager. You see, something happened at that gas station that his father knew concerning the police. Immediately after the accident, his father was brought to the hospital where this man was told his father was going to be ok. The next day the man arrived at the hospital after a lengthy discussion with his father's doctor who indicated the police wanted his father killed. He couldn't believe what happened next his father's heart was practically cut out almost in front of him. The hospital immediately started to subtly drug the son to cover up the act that had just taken place. Although the son's memory was now suppressed and confused. The son knew that beneath the surface lay a darker truth-one carefully concealed by the medical team that erased his memories and placed him in a defense contractor in order to keep him watched and in line. Years passed, and as he poured himself into his work, the whispers of his father’s unresolved fate gnawed at him. One fateful day, his boss, Frank, stumbled upon the truth and was determined to expose the corruption that had silenced his father. But before they could act, the police descended upon them, leaving Frank lifeless on his kitchen floor while the man was drugged into Christian healthcare. In that moment, that man realized that the forces protecting their secrets would stop at nothing to ensure he remained a pawn in their game, a pawn whose quest for truth had just begun.

[@ErnieJJr1476er]

5💫

[@axxellein]

TRES Cool/Heavy!

[@take5th]

Drug recognition experts? Lol.

[@vaidyms2611]

Really very very slow dialogue delivery. Irritating.