AIMED AT TEENAGERS AND ADULTS, THIS FILM EXAMINES THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED BY FOLLOWING A TYPICAL CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR ARREST FROM BOOKING AND ARRAIGNMENT THROUGH JURY TRIAL, CONVICTION, AND SENTENCING.

EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW AND EXPLAINING WHY CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE ACCUSED, THE FILM TRACES THE JUDICIAL PROCESS BY FOCUSING ON A CASE INVOLVING TWO YOUNG MEN ARRESTED FOR PETTY THEFT. ONE PLEADS GUILTY AT ARRAIGNMENT AND IS SENTENCED TO A PRISON TERM DUE TO HIS PAST RECORD OF SIMILAR OFFENSES. THE OTHER CONSULTS A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY AND PLEADS INNOCENT. HE IS SUBSEQUENTLY CONVICTED AT A JURY TRIAL AND PLACED ON PROBATION BECAUSE OF HIS CLEAN RECORD. THE FILM COVERS THE ACCUSED’S RIGHTS TO BAIL, COUNSEL, TRIAL BY JURY, SPEEDY PUBLIC TRIAL AND ARRAIGNMENT, AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION AND THE RIGHT TO CONFRONT WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION. (KBL)