2008 Woodie Awards
Open Trial- our traditions at work
Chris Rizzo
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: Distractions
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The topic on everyone's mind this week, besides the impending doom of final exams, is the first open trial in over a decade. I have been waiting four years to witness one, and I am excited to see the proceedings and watch the event unfold. That may sound a bit crass; deriving some thrill from a trial which will have an enormous impact on the life of a fellow student, but I would be lying if I said otherwise. I think the reason there is so much anticipation is that we students have no idea what to expect from this trial. There are plenty of rumors flying around as to how this will play out, but I firmly believe in the saying, "Believe nothing that you hear, and only half of what you see." The facts of the case themselves are shrouded in a cloak of secrecy, and it will be extremely interesting to hear an accurate account of what truly occurred.
What makes this trial even more intriguing is that it will function, at least according to the White Book, very nearly to an actual courtroom trial. In other judicial proceedings at W&L, the accused is often afforded few basic rights; an Open Trial, on the other hand, seems to allow the accused a far greater degree of freedom in mounting a defense and proving his or her innocence.
Moreover, and I can only speculate because I have never witnessed an Open Trial before, but I cannot help but believe that the outcome will have a profound impact on students and student governance here. For at least one day, the inner workings of the Executive Committee will be exposed for everyone to see. Given that the EC holds enormous power over student life, many people will form strong opinions of this institution based upon what happens this Wednesday, as this is perhaps their first exposure to such events. Will this be good or bad? At the very least, student interest will be roused; this, I believe, can lead to some positive outcomes. If the EC and its procedural process does have any glaring weaknesses, I would presume that they would be brought to the forefront in the context of an Open Trial. Given this impetus, we may be able to effect some real change in the Executive Committee, which I view as a positive corollary to an Open Trial.
What makes this trial even more intriguing is that it will function, at least according to the White Book, very nearly to an actual courtroom trial. In other judicial proceedings at W&L, the accused is often afforded few basic rights; an Open Trial, on the other hand, seems to allow the accused a far greater degree of freedom in mounting a defense and proving his or her innocence.
Moreover, and I can only speculate because I have never witnessed an Open Trial before, but I cannot help but believe that the outcome will have a profound impact on students and student governance here. For at least one day, the inner workings of the Executive Committee will be exposed for everyone to see. Given that the EC holds enormous power over student life, many people will form strong opinions of this institution based upon what happens this Wednesday, as this is perhaps their first exposure to such events. Will this be good or bad? At the very least, student interest will be roused; this, I believe, can lead to some positive outcomes. If the EC and its procedural process does have any glaring weaknesses, I would presume that they would be brought to the forefront in the context of an Open Trial. Given this impetus, we may be able to effect some real change in the Executive Committee, which I view as a positive corollary to an Open Trial.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
stapelfeldj
Jenn
posted 4/29/07 @ 10:37 PM EST
I hope the Trident can write an honest follow-up to the trial. As a former student who left W&L, in part, for witnessing unfair EC proceedings leading up to last year's 'almost' "open" trial, I am very interesting in what will happen with this trial (if it does really take place). (Continued…)
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