Spring Break
DANIEL ORTNER: "Epic trial" alienates and truly disappoints
by Daniel Ortner
Columnists | 10/9/07
Posted online at 9:46 PM EST on 10/8/07
/ Last updated at 7:17 PM EST on 10/8/07
The adversarial discovery process of our legal system works well when both sides of counsel are equal in that they at least have graduated law school and passed the bar exam. In undergraduate courtrooms, the adversarial process can be daunting and insurmountable. We should begin a serious campus discussion about the manner and shape our judiciary trials should take.
Even though the court released its opinion last night and found Goldman's actions unconstitutional, there could be no catharsis. The muddled process had rendered the decision meaningless. In this case, the Union Judiciary was able to wade through the legal motions and come to a correct verdict, but how much trust can we have in the process itself?
A trial filled with motions and petitions filed by alumni currently in law schools, a case written up and advocated for by Union officials rather than pushed for by students and the absence of leadership in our elected officials, all contributed to turning what was hailed as the Brandeis trial of the century into a mangled mess.
[The original article originally incorrectly stated that the Democratic Debate Watching Event was sponsored by Democracy For America. It was in fact sponsored by Brandeis Democrats and Brandeis For Barack]
Even though the court released its opinion last night and found Goldman's actions unconstitutional, there could be no catharsis. The muddled process had rendered the decision meaningless. In this case, the Union Judiciary was able to wade through the legal motions and come to a correct verdict, but how much trust can we have in the process itself?
A trial filled with motions and petitions filed by alumni currently in law schools, a case written up and advocated for by Union officials rather than pushed for by students and the absence of leadership in our elected officials, all contributed to turning what was hailed as the Brandeis trial of the century into a mangled mess.
[The original article originally incorrectly stated that the Democratic Debate Watching Event was sponsored by Democracy For America. It was in fact sponsored by Brandeis Democrats and Brandeis For Barack]
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Michael Kerns
posted 10/09/07 @ 11:39 AM EST
Dear Daniel,
I really appreciate you strong and honest comments on this issue. I really don't take issue with anything you've said, including your criticism of me. (Continued…)
blah blah blah
posted 10/09/07 @ 3:01 PM EST
Jesus christ man. Blah blah blah blah..... I'm really crying now that you and Rivka are friends... what a great story
Jamie Ansorge
posted 10/09/07 @ 4:39 PM EST
Dear Daniel and Readers,
I would just like to say the following:
I was not present at the "debate watch" mentioned in this article. Also, it is my understanding that Democracy for America was not an official sponsor of any kind. (Continued…)
Adam Schwartzbaum
posted 10/15/07 @ 9:27 PM EST
Daniel,
As a Brandeis Alum, I have only the vaguest notion of what this trial is all about, so I can't really speak to most of the issues you raise in this article. (Continued…)
Post a Comment