Joshua John A. Espiritu April 30, 2020 Legal Techniques: Protect People. But Instead, You Fuck and Murder Them"

JOSHUA JOHN A.
ESPIRITU April 30, 2020

JD - I Legal Techniques
A Political Analysis of Norman Jewison’s “And Justice for All”
The mortal behind the bench is assumed to be a person of justice and integrity, yet the
same is the filthy display of immorality.
The Ideology of Legal Profession

The film portrays varieties of lawyers. Some are greed. Some are after winning. Some are
affected by the lives and actions of their clients while some believe that integrity is what makes a
great lawyer. The esteem that follows the profession produces a principle of living. One can be
corrupt to enjoy all that life can offer – money, power, and sex.
Arthur Kirkland, however, is seen to be a lawyer who always dissent from what is
customary. He is always after the justice that a person deserves regardless of his status in the
society. He values what others see as poison in the social order because he believes that rich or
poor, black or white, everyone has a right to be defended before the court.
This principle is manifested when he knew that someone in authority is taking advantage
of his position. He faced a dilemma wherein he can either represent Judge Flemming or be
disbarred for betraying a client’s confidence before. He knew very well that a defense lawyer has
an obligation to defend people who are guilty. However, with value and respect to his profession
and his license being on the line, he courageously betrayed again another client because of his
ideology as seen in the lines “You are supposed to stand for something. You are supposed to
protect people. But instead, you fuck and murder them”.
Thus, this shows how the protagonist deviate from the fact that in order to survive in this
society, he does not need to adhere to the current culture of his profession even if it is against his
ego or pride, even if it is damaging his physical and professional worth, or even if it is already
destroying his being. Survival in the society does not support the impression that is; it is
acceptable for authorities to take advantage of others’ weaknesses.
The act of betrayal, though not ideal for a lawyer-client agreement, is a clear
representation of willingness to have freedom, to be freed from the obscure spot of life where
people who have supremacy can take advantage of others’ innocent lives.
Subjugation of Proletariats
The society where the main character lives provides power to authorities making them
dominant among others. The film tackles the problem between social classes. While the upper
class liberally pleases themselves with power, the lower class is portrayed to be a symbol of
mistreatment and inability to be heard and tried lawfully before the court. The lines of Judge
Flemming, “I tell you, Arthur, the punishment to fit the crime does not work. We need unjust
punishment. Hang somebody for armed robbery. Try it. We have got nothing to lose.” shows that
it is the powerful ones who have the control to decide as if the law is unnecessary because their
fate already belongs to their hands.
Furthermore, the unjust depiction between classes is seen in the unfair treatment of
hearing their cases. While Judge Flemming has all the supporter in the court room, being
lawfully treated and heard by the presiding judge, the victims of unfair justice system is
portrayed to be mocked and unfairly heard before the court. It is as if their problems do not
matter that the presiding judges in their cases will quickly decide on their situation and convict
them.
Queer and Race

“See, he figures that since I am the way I am… Mr. Kirkland, I can look fine sometimes you
know. Royce figure out that we can be a couple. Like a man and a woman couple. Because a cab
driver will pick up a couple a whole lot faster than they will two nigga men.”
The unfair treatment that reflects the current justice system in the story also touches the
issue of race and gender orientation. Though the intention of Ralph Agee and his cousin Royce is
not meritorious, it is still undeniable that injustices are manifested in the color of their skin –
automatically branding them as persons of interest when a crime arises. Furthermore, the period
in which Ralph lives does not fully accept his being, thereby creating prejudices into his person.
It is seen in the first part of the film how Ralph is being mocked and ridiculed for his gender
preference.
The Rotting Justice System

“This is not a case of monetary damages, judge. This is a human being we are talking about.
This is about a boy who’s in prison, frightened out of his mind, fighting everyday for his life.”
These lines portray that Arthur is aware of the current justice system and how it works
unfavorably to those who have no power or money. A person that is mistakenly caught by the
authorities had to suffer physical brutalities against his person and be raped a whole bunch of
time inside the prison for the crime he did not commit.
However, instead of being heard, he was ridiculed for his ideologies as seen in the lines,
“Prison should be a frightening place. Let those criminals create their own hellhole.” This
shows that the justice system is a complete farce, a show that only care to lawfully hear the
troubles and mischiefs of the upper class, leaving masses’ problems for entertainment.
The indignity portrayed by the judge in this film is terrorizing. His vicious mind is beyond
providence, showing no reverential towards those who are powerless.

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JOSHUA JOHN A.

ESPIRITU April 30, 2020

A Political Analysis of Norman Jewison’s “And Justice for All”

The Ideology of Legal Profession

Queer and Race

The Rotting Justice System

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