The film “A Few Good Men” (acquired for the Eiche Library) revolves around the criminal law branch of the court-martial of two U.S. Marines charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and conduct unbecoming a Marine. The storyline shares the trials and tribulations experienced by their lawyers assigned to defend them as they prepare for the case. The film illustrates the various phases of criminal procedure from arraignment, plea bargaining, to the trial itself and depicts the usual cast of courtroom individuals: defendants, Lance Corporal Harold Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison) and Private First Class Louden Downey (James Marshall); defense council, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), …show more content…
The prosecutors, roll is extremely broad and spans the entire criminal justice process. A prosecutor’s responsibilities include, refraining from prosecuting a charge that the prosecutor knows is not supported by probable cause (Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor, para 1); make reasonable efforts to assure that the accused has been advised of the right to, and the procedure for obtaining ((Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor, para 2); make timely disclosure to the defense of all evidence; and ensure that evidence sought is essential to the successful completion of an ongoing investigation (Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor, para 7). In the film, Ross, is instrumental in the plea bargain process. Plea-bargaining is instrumental in the criminal law process. Plea-bargaining is prevalent for practical …show more content…
In this film, expert witness, Commander Dr. Stone, creditability is challenged by defense co-counsel Galloway “strong” objection to his testimony. Two hostile lay witnesses: Lt. Kendrick and intimidating base commander, Colonel Jessup, model soldiers, who have earned the respect and support of just about everyone in the courtroom absolutely, despise Defense Counsel Kaffee. However, Kaffee manages to provoke Jessup into admitting on the stand that he did order a “Code Red” in the infamous “you can’t handle the truth” speech justifying his actions (A Few Good Men, 1992). “Code Red” is an unofficial military order, signal and political strategic play used primarily to roughen up an uncooperative Marine that isn 't quite up to task compared to his fellow Marines. His very admission clears defendants of the charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. However, not the dishonorable discharge from the Marines. The conviction the defendants feared the