#Courtroom Dramas

[casefoxinc]

The 10 Greatest Legal Movies That Lawyers Must Watch

[diet-poison]

Your Honor, I'd like to submit into evidence Exhibit A, this drawing I did of the defendant with stink lines coming off of him

[alanfromrochester]

Reminded of this, a Harvard Law School poll where they voted on their favorite law movies bracket style, Legally Blonde trounced To Kill a Mockingbird in the final (TKaM barely beat My Cousin Vinny in the semifinal, Legally Blonde had blowout wins in all rounds)

[doydoune]

oh to be a rookie attorney in France in love with the bitchy prosecutor next door

[floorman3]

Anatomy of a Fall Review- A Courtroom Drama For the Ages

Courtroom dramas are one of my favorite genres. Films like Primal Fear, A Few Good Men, The Lincoln Lawyer, and A Time to Kill come to mind and remind me of why I love this genre. Anatomy Of a Fall is another such film. It asks us to question what we believe in favor of what we would actually do if we were in this circumstance. It is not an easy question to answer. The foreign aspects of the…

[suchananewsblog]

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Accused’ On Fox, An Anthology Drama Where Ordinary People Stand Accused Of Dramatic Crimes

Accused, created by Howard Gordon and Alex Ganza of 24, along with David Shore of House, is an anthology drama where each episode shows ordinary people standing accused of crimes. The trick in this series is that we see them in the courtroom at the start of an episode, then we go back and see the extreme circumstances that got them there. ACCUSED: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT? Opening Shot: Throngs of…

[islandfailure]

not your lawyers? dawg ur going to jail

[weepylucifer]

gotta love that one fic where the jedi are like "we don't have evidence that'll hold up in court of palpatine being a sith yet, but like some kind of space al capone tax fraud situation, we can try and get him for child abuse." lot of meat on that bone still. truly i'm enjoying picturing what that trial will look like. do they try and get mother talzin to give a testimony of when the dark man took her son

[daforged]

fascinating to me that one kristoph gavin, knowing he's fucked by the end of turnabout trump, doesn't decide to go nuclear and just say That Evidence Is Forged, Here's The Real Ace, I May Be A Murderer But Apollo Presented False Evidence, Disbar His Ass NOW

[dinosaurwithablog]

Hamilton Burger loses so much, but he always believes in himself. What he says here is the way that I wished all attorneys felt. He's happy to be part of the system as long as they uncover the truth and do what's right. I love that!! ❤️ He's a good man!! Actually, he's a Talman!! 🤣🤣🤣 sorry, I couldn't resist 😉 😁😍

[fahye]

A Power Unbound

Secrets! Magic! Enemies to… something more? Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. After the death of his twin sister, he thought he was done with magic for good. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual hanging over every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world. Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping an unlikely group of friends track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross. Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. The aristocratic Lord Hawthorn, with all his unearned power, is everything that Alan hates. And unfortunately, Alan happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package. When a plot to seize unimaginable power comes to a head at Cheetham Hall—Jack’s ancestral family estate, a land so old and bound in oaths that it’s grown a personality as prickly as its owner—Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets, and bloody sacrifice… and the foundations of magic in Britain will be torn up by the roots before the end.

Coming November 2023

PRE-ORDER: US

PRE-ORDER: UK

ADD ON GOODREADS

[countesspetofi]

More from the Department of Before They Were Star Trek Stars: George Takei in PERRY MASON, season three, episode four, "The Case of the Blushing Pearls" (original air date October 24, 1959).

George plays Toma Sakai, a friend and co-worker of Perry's client, a Japanese immigrant framed for the theft of a valuable piece of jewelry.

[plaid-maniac]

Do you ever think about how there totally could have been an old classmate of Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth in the audience during like turnabout sister or turnabout samurai. Do you think they would realize? Like “hey, were those the guys in my class in like fourth grade? I kinda remember them. Wonder if they remember each other. But it was so long ago, I doubt they would even care.” Meanwhile Edgeworth and Phoenix are undergoing the most insane mental battles where both of them are going “I recognize my best friend across the courtroom and I desperately want to be close with them again.” And “god he is so god damn annoying I wish he would die already.”

[knoepfl]

Beyond the Mask

Characters:

- Arthur Fleck / Joker: A man struggling with his identity, grappling with mental illness and societal rejection.

- Reader: A supportive friend who believes in Arthur's potential for change and seeks to defend him against societal judgment.

- Harvey Dent: The prosecutor, trying to establish Arthur as a dangerous criminal.

-Judge: The authoritative figure presiding over the courtroom, tasked with making a fair judgment.

Trigger Warnings:

- Mental illness

- Stalking- Criminal behavior

- Courtroom drama

- Themes of societal neglect and injustice

Masterlist

Word Count: 2559

This was a request from @pedroschka. I am very happy to have been given this honor of writing this^^ I truly enjoyed it and I hope you enjoy it too!

The courtroom was a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos Arthur Fleck had come to embody. He sat at the defendant's table, his Joker attire making him an imposing figure, yet inside, he felt a mixture of anxiety and defiance. He had fired his lawyer, determined to speak for himself, but the weight of the accusations hung heavily in the air.

As Harvey Dent rose from his seat, the courtroom fell silent. “I call the witness, [Your Name], to the stand,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension. You walked up, heart racing but determined. This was your chance to speak for Arthur, the man behind the mask.

Taking your place at the stand, you felt all eyes on you. Harvey leaned in, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “So, [Your Name], you were friends with Arthur Fleck, correct? You’re aware of his… obsession with you?”

You straightened, meeting his gaze with resolve. “Yes, I was friends with Arthur. And yes, he struggled with his feelings. But that doesn’t define who he is.”

Dent raised an eyebrow, feigning disbelief. “Isn’t it true that his fixation on you led to stalking? Wouldn’t you say that makes him dangerous?”

You took a deep breath, steadying yourself against the gravity of the accusation. “He didn’t intend to hurt me. He was lost, confused, trying to make sense of his feelings. It wasn’t about malice—it was about desperation.”

Arthur shifted slightly, the bravado of the Joker flickering as he listened to your words. You could see the internal struggle within him, the mask of confidence beginning to crack.

“Do you feel safe around him?” Dent pressed, hoping to elicit a more damning response.

“I felt safe with Arthur,” you replied, your voice firm. “He was always kind to me. He just… needed help. The world turned him into someone who felt he had to be something else to be seen.”

As you spoke, Arthur’s expression softened, the mask of the Joker slipping further away. You continued, “He’s not just the Joker. He’s Arthur Fleck, a man who has been tormented by his circumstances. He deserves compassion, not condemnation.”

The judge’s interest piqued, eyebrows raising at your passionate defense. Dent faltered, momentarily caught off guard by your perspective.

“So you believe he’s a victim of his own mind?”“Yes,” you said, nodding. “He’s been pushed into a corner, and it’s a tragedy. He’s not just a criminal; he’s a product of a society that failed him. We all deserve a second chance.”

“Do you think he’s capable of change?” Dent pressed again, trying to catch you off guard.

“Absolutely,” you insisted, looking straight at Arthur. “He’s trying to navigate this world, and the only thing he needs is understanding. Everyone makes mistakes, and Arthur’s mistakes don’t define him. They’re just a part of his journey.”

The judge leaned forward, intrigued by your testimony. Arthur’s eyes shimmered with something unspoken, a flicker of hope that perhaps he could be understood.

As you finished your statement, Arthur’s gaze locked onto yours, and you could see the gratitude reflected in his eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt seen—not as the Joker, but as the man he once was, the man you remembered. His cocky demeanor faded away, revealing the softer side that had been buried under layers of pain and anger.

You could feel the courtroom’s attention shift. Whispers began to spread as people witnessed the transformation. Arthur, no longer the theatrical figure he had played, was just a man grappling with the repercussions of his actions.

“Your Honor,” Dent said, regaining his composure, “are we to believe that Arthur Fleck is merely a victim of circumstance? That he has no responsibility for his actions?”

You took a moment before responding, your heart racing as you faced the judge. “Everyone has a choice, Mr. Dent. But it’s important to understand the context behind those choices. Arthur was driven to madness by the very society he lived in. He didn’t wake up one day and decide to become the Joker; he became the Joker because the world told him he was nothing else.”

The judge leaned forward, intrigued by your testimony. Arthur’s eyes shimmered with something unspoken, a flicker of hope that perhaps he could be understood.

As you left the stand, you caught Arthur’s gaze once more. There was a spark of recognition in his eyes—a flicker of hope that maybe he could still be more than what the world had defined him to be.

“Thank you,” he mouthed, a small smile breaking through the facade of the Joker. In that moment, you both knew that despite the storm ahead, you would face it together, with the understanding that there was always a choice.

Then, unexpectedly, Arthur leaned forward, his voice a mix of bravado and vulnerability. “What do you really think of me, [Your Name]? Am I just a monster in clown makeup to you?” He attempted to keep his Joker persona alive, but there was an earnestness in his question that cut through the theatrics.

You paused, searching his eyes. “Arthur, you know I see you. Not the Joker, but you—Arthur Fleck. The man I once knew.”

He scoffed lightly, trying to mask the hurt behind his playful demeanor. “Oh come on, we both know I’m not worth saving. I mean, look at me!” He gestured to his costume, a mockery of the figure he had become.

“Arthur,” you said softly, drawing his attention. “You’re worth more than all of this. You’re not just what you’ve done. You have a choice to be better, to be you.”

“Really? You think I can be someone different?” he asked, his façade cracking further. “Someone who’s not just a punchline?”

“I believe that, yes. You’re more than your pain. You’re more than the Joker.” You stepped closer to the defendant’s table, your voice steady and sincere. “You once showed me kindness, compassion—the man I care about is still there, buried deep beneath the laughter and chaos.”

His brow furrowed, confusion flickering across his features. “But what about the stalking? The obsession? How can you still care after everything?”

You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his past hovering between you. “Because I know you were lost. You were searching for something, someone, to understand you.

I know what it feels like to be invisible. I was never afraid of you; I was afraid for you.”Arthur’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and vulnerability washing over him. “You really think I can change?” he repeated, almost as if he needed to hear it again.

“Yes,” you said firmly, your conviction unwavering. “And I’m here to help you remember who you are. The world might see the Joker, but I see Arthur Fleck. The man who deserves a chance to be happy.”

As the realization dawned on him, Arthur’s act faded, and the corners of his mouth twitched into a genuine smile. For the first time, he felt something shift within him—a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could embrace who he truly was.

The courtroom, once a place of judgment, transformed into a space of understanding. And in that moment, surrounded by the chaos of his life, Arthur Fleck took a step closer to reclaiming his identity, not as the Joker, but as the man you believed in.

---

As the courtroom settled into an uneasy silence, the weight of the moment hung heavy in the air. The jury deliberated, each member acutely aware that they were deciding the fate of Arthur Fleck, a man teetering on the edge of madness and sanity.

You could see the tension etched on Arthur's face as he sat at the defendant's table, anxiety creeping back into his demeanor. You reached out, your hand brushing against his, offering silent support as you both awaited the jury's verdict. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and you could feel the eyes of everyone in the room, including the judge, locked on the jury forewoman.

After what felt like an eternity, the forewoman rose, her expression solemn as she prepared to deliver the decision. “We have reached a verdict,” she announced, her voice steady yet laden with gravity.

The room held its breath as she continued, “In the matter of Arthur Fleck, we find the defendant… guilty.” A gasp rippled through the courtroom, and Arthur's heart seemed to drop.

But the forewoman paused, raising her hand to quell the murmurs. “However,” she continued, “while we acknowledge his guilt in the crimes committed, we also recognize that Arthur Fleck was not himself when these acts occurred.”

You felt Arthur tense beside you, his eyes wide with disbelief. The room was still, every ear eager to hear the next words.

“I plead for the court to understand that the Joker is not who Arthur is,” she stated, her voice rising in conviction. “He is a man who has suffered greatly, a victim of circumstances beyond his control. The chaos that he unleashed was not a reflection of his true self.”

Arthur’s gaze flickered between you and the forewoman, the facade of the Joker fading as a glimmer of hope ignited within him.

“He deserves compassion, not the electric chair,” she concluded, her gaze unwavering as she faced the judge. “We recommend that he remain in Arkham, where he can receive the treatment he needs. We must acknowledge that the man before us is not the monster the world has painted him to be.

”The judge nodded, considering the jury's recommendation. Arthur’s breath hitched, the reality of the moment sinking in. For the first time in what felt like forever, he was seen—not just as the Joker but as Arthur Fleck.

As the tension in the courtroom shifted, you squeezed Arthur’s hand, your heart racing with a mixture of fear and hope. The judge’s gavel came down, and the murmurs in the room faded into a hush.

“Let it be known that Arthur Fleck will remain in Arkham Asylum, where he will receive the care and evaluation necessary to address his mental health,” the judge declared. “This court acknowledges the complexities of his psyche and the impact of societal neglect that led to his actions.

”In that moment, Arthur’s shoulders relaxed, the weight of the world lifting just a fraction. You could see the gratitude in his eyes as he turned to you, no longer the man burdened by the chaos of his alter ego. He was Arthur Fleck, a man given a chance to reclaim his identity and navigate the path toward healing.

As the courtroom slowly emptied, you knew this was only the beginning of a long journey, but for now, you felt a sense of victory—a chance to help Arthur find himself again, beyond the shadows of the Joker.

“There’s always a choice,” you whispered to him as the two of you stood to leave. “You just have to be brave enough to take it.”

---

~A few Months later~

---

The atmosphere in Arkham Asylum was heavy with an air of tension, but for you, it was a place of hope. It had been a few months since the trial, and in that time, Arthur had begun to change. He was undergoing therapy, and although the road was long, you could see the glimmers of the man he once was. The Joker's grip on him had weakened, and Arthur was beginning to reclaim his identity.

Today was a special day. You were finally allowed to visit him, and excitement bubbled within you. You had been waiting for this moment, eager to see the man behind the mask, the man you had defended in court and believed in wholeheartedly.

As you entered the visiting area, your heart raced. The sterile environment felt foreign, but your thoughts were solely on Arthur. The moment you spotted him, your breath caught in your throat. He was sitting at a table, looking more at peace than you had ever seen him. His hair was a little longer, and there were still shadows under his eyes, but his smile was genuine—a stark contrast to the dark persona he once wore.

“Arthur!” you called, rushing toward him. His face lit up at the sound of your voice, and you felt warmth spread through your chest.

“Hey,” he replied, his voice softer than you remembered. He stood up, meeting you halfway, and you threw your arms around him, feeling the warmth of his body against yours. It felt right—like home.

When you pulled back, Arthur looked at you with a mixture of gratitude and affection. “I can’t believe you’re here,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.

“I promised I would be, didn’t I?” you replied, your heart swelling. “I’ve been thinking about you every day. How are you holding up?”

He hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “It’s... been hard. But with the therapy, I’m starting to feel like I can breathe again. Like I’m not just the Joker.” His expression softened, revealing the vulnerability beneath his usual bravado.

You smiled gently, reaching out to cup his face in your hand. “You’re Arthur Fleck. You’re not just the Joker. You’re so much more than that.”

A flicker of hope danced in his eyes, and for the first time, you saw a glimmer of the man you had known before everything spiraled out of control. “You really believe that?” he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

“Of course, I do. I’ve always believed in you,” you replied, your heart racing as the distance between you shrank. “I’m here for you, Arthur. I care about you—just you.”

His gaze softened, and the walls he had built began to crumble. “I don’t deserve your kindness,” he murmured, his voice tinged with self-doubt.

You shook your head, stepping closer. “You do. You deserve all the love and happiness in the world. You’re not the monster everyone thinks you are. You’re capable of so much good.”

The sincerity in your words reached him, and in that moment, the connection between you both deepened. Arthur’s hand brushed against yours, sending a spark of electricity between you. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, his voice steadying. “I’ve missed you.”

I’ve missed you too,” you confessed, feeling the weight of your emotions come to the surface. “I’ve been waiting for this moment—to see you like this.”

As you both sat down together, the conversation flowed naturally. You talked about everything—the therapy, the progress he was making, the little things that brought him joy. With every word, you could see Arthur relax, the tension leaving his shoulders.

When it was time to leave, you stood up reluctantly, wishing you could stay longer. Arthur caught your hand, holding it gently. “Promise me you’ll come back,” he said, his eyes earnest.

“Of course,” you replied, squeezing his hand. “I’ll always come back, Arthur. You’re not alone anymore.”

As you walked away, glancing back at him one last time, you saw a flicker of hope in his eyes—a hope that had been buried but was now beginning to blossom. You knew the road ahead would be challenging, but you were determined to stand by his side, helping him navigate through the darkness.

After all, he was Arthur Fleck, and you were ready to embrace every part of him.

---

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading! I hope it offers a fresh perspective on Arthur Fleck's character and the struggles he faces. Again thank you for the opportunity to write this. Your feedback is welcome, and I appreciate your support as I continue to write about these compelling narratives.

[papiliovolens]

Minecraft Drabble

Fluffy had no idea how she got here. The open, wooden courtroom felt too large, and the fencing separating her from the plaintiff somehow felt too thin- as if her breath could knock it over. The others took their time to arrive and quickly filed in, taking random spots to stand vigil.

When Pancake spoke, the silent courtroom somehow became even quieter. "Fluffy, you stand before us today as the accused of attempting to steal Trickster from Nems. How do you plead?"

Fluffy gripped her shield, stopping herself from chucking it at Pancake. "For the last time, it is a misunderstanding-" she tried to argue for the tenth time when Apple and Snake scrambled behind her. 

"No killing each other in the courtroom!" Pancake demanded, slamming their hands on the podium.

Apple raised an eyebrow and swiftly yanked Snake from out under the awning. Before Snake could turn around, Apple whapped them with their sword, grinning as the damage registered.

Apple met Pancake's angered gaze smugly. "I'm not in the courtroom," they pointed out, just before Apple punched them in retaliation.

"Continue," Pancake instructed, nodding at Fluffy and ignoring the scuffle.

Fluffy took a deep breath. "Trickster hit me. I taunted him, and he misunderstood me-"

"ya said you like it, though," Trickster pointed out smugly, leaning their elbows on the fence cordoning off the plaintiff's side.

"Because I was trying to freak you out," Fluffy repeated. "And then Nems got mad at me."

"well," Nems interrupted smugly. "according to article 3, section 4, fuck fluffy." He tipped his skull up, eyelights shimmering with a mischievous glimmer that nearly matched Trickster's.

"period," Trickster added as an egg flew past his skull.

He looked over his shoulder at the chick that floated to the ground, and it clucked on him. Pancake stared at the newly birthed fowl and scowled, turning to scold whoever had thrown it, when five other eggs slammed into the podium, and four of them hatched into chicks.

Snake and Apple ignored the trial, seeming to forgo their sword fight to chuck eggs at each other. Pancake visually struggled to ignore them, closing their eyes to feign thinking as the orderly courtroom steadily devolved into a chicken pen.

Once Snake and Apple vanished from sight, Pancake nodded. "Alright. Well, since Nems and Trickster's relationship isn't technically canon-" Someone gasped from the audience. "The argument is null and void."

Fluffy rolled her eyes in relief as Trickster sighed in disappointment at the lackluster ending.

Another egg slammed into the ground and Snake scrambled through the room. Apple switched to their sword and, with a single swipe, Snake vanished in a spark of spoke, their items dropping the the floor like confetti. Apple straightened, grinning triumphantly, until they realized where they were and froze, looking up slowly at Pancake.

"New trial," Pancake decreed as a chick managed to climb up the podium. "I'm suing Apple for interrupting my courtroom."

"i'll be a witness," Trickster offered, raising his hand, a chicken slung under his arm.

"so long as no one flirts with trickster," Nems mumbled, stepping down from the podium and gently pushing a chick away with his foot.

"For the last time, it wasn't flirting!" Fluffy screeched.

[of-fear-and-love]

Woody Strode in Sergeant Rutledge (1960)