The Current Events Thread

[Barabba]

Eh, Ace Attorney was fun. I don't really care about the people involved in any trial, so the more entertaining it is the better.

[Kamak]

Trials shouldn't be a public spectacle.

Leave that to Hollywood and video games. Not real trials with real consequences.

[Winchester]

Barabba, what in the world possessed you to say something like that

[Gryewolf]

Eh, Ace Attorney was fun. I don't really care about the people involved in any trial, so the more entertaining it is the better.

Go to a different thread, don't post in this one anymore.

[Barabba]

As long as the truth will out, why not have fun doing their jobs?

[Lambeth]

Sure why not, let's have surgeons juggle their tools when they're in the operating room too.

[Brekkjern]

Let's equal triple heart bypass with someone cracking a joke while working because those things are like totally the same thing, right?

[Exeres]

Please tell me you're not siding with the guy who thinks it's perfectly fine for lawyers to tell jokes during a fucking murder trial.

[Brekkjern]

Contrary to common belief, jokes are often made in courtrooms. Humor is an effective tool to get people to side with you or make your client appear less wrong. After all you are ultimately trying to appeal to people who are going to make the decision. The impression the jury/judge has of the accused can make a difference on how harsh of a punishment they get.

[Madican]

And that's bullshit. There shouldn't be any "tactics" for convincing the jury other than the evidence. None of this fucking circus.

[Barabba]

Oh my god, you're talking about sides and stuff? I'm just expressing what I believe, no need to gang up on me and make it a matter of siding against me. You're like sharks or something. This is an area where people can freely state their opinions on worldly matters, no? Isn't it good to have a variety of opinions instead of having one big collective consciousness* where if anyone provides a dissenting opinion they get told to leave?

Also, good argument Brekkjern, juggling in surgery has no chance of making the patient better, but levity in court trials has the chance of winning the case.

*I may not be using this right, I just really like that song. "THE UNENLIGHTENED MASSES..."

[Brekkjern]

And that's bullshit. There shouldn't be any "tactics" for convincing the jury other than the evidence. None of this fucking circus.

I completely agree, but that isn't how the system is designed. Anything involving humans also involves human error. It's a fact of life and we have to deal with it until we can change it, but it won't be changed by knee jerk reactions and drawing the social justice warrior sword and blindly charging ahead. People like humor and wherever there are people, there are jokes. No matter the situation. It shouldn't really come as a surprise that it is used in serious settings.

That being said, some people should not consider a career in comedy.

[Lambeth]

Contrary to common belief, jokes are often made in courtrooms. Humor is an effective tool to get people to side with you or make your client appear less wrong. After all you are ultimately trying to appeal to people who are going to make the decision. The impression the jury/judge has of the accused can make a difference on how harsh of a punishment they get.

I've seen a couple of court cases and they've all been pretty serious. I assume it's worse when you get to the level of murder.

[SaintCrazy]

All in all, the jury's perception of the lawyers is subject to each person's judgement. Some people might look positively on a humorous appeal, while others closer to Madican's mindset will listen to the guy and lose respect for him because he's not sticking to the facts and evidence.

Is joking gonna work all the time? No. But chances are those lawyers are going to do whatever they can, just in case it works.

[Kamak]

But where's the respect for the court, the victim, the families, and even the accused.

Would you really feel safer with this guy defending you with this behavior?

Yes, being personable is important. If you're a prick, it may not matter if you're right on the cheddar because you've disengaged the jury.

But this wasn't easygoing humor. The fact that he even felt the need to preface the joke with a disclaimer is telling.

Besides which, muttering, wavering vocally, and the way he presented himself gave the impression that he didn't practice/prepare long enough or was winging it. When he had a long booty time to plan out a opening statement.

The court and the people present deserve more professionalism in the courtroom.