Due Process, the award-winning legal affairs series on NJN, tackles controversial legal topics in New Jersey by combining field pieces and an in-studio panel of experts. A cooperative effort between the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and NJN Television, each Due Process episode is 30 minutes.
The following programs are from the 1997-1998 season of Due Process. Each episode features Host Ray Brown, Esq., and Senior Field Correspondent Sandra King.
"Affirmative Action" - An overview of race relations with respect to employment and education in the United States, this program discusses how the political lines are drawn on affirmative action in New Jersey and what the principles are regarding this issue for citizens across the country.
"AIDS/HIV Reporting" - Although the death rate of persons afflicted with AIDS is down, the epidemic continues. Medical science has made important new progress, but have social and legal policies progressed? Is the government doing all it can to contain the disease? These questions, as well as the subject of discrimination and the stigma associated with the disease are discussed in this program.
"Breaking the Barriers of Color and Sex" - This program begins with a look at the professional life of guest Raymond A. Brown Sr., one of the first African-American attorneys in New Jersey. Annamay Sheppard, a criminal lawyer and professor at Rutgers, also talks about the presence of women in law school and how female lawyers have increased in the profession in the past 50 years.
"David Shephard Revisited" - After 12 years of imprisonment, DNA testing proved David Shephard was innocent of a rape conviction. Since his victory, the laws in New Jersey have changed so that persons wrongfully convicted may now seek monetary compensation from the state. The show examines how DNA testing has proven the innocence of 50 men.
"Death Penalty Reform" - Since the death penalty has been reinstated in 1982, not one execution has occurred in New Jersey. This show focuses on what can be done to change or expedite the process. Those who are in favor of capital punishment, argue it takes too much time between the crime and the actual execution. Others are concerned about due process and fairness and that every convict should be given every opportunity to get a fair trial.
"Drug Court" - The Drug Court in Camden County, a 12-step course for rehabilitation, is profiled in this episode. This rigorous program demands that participants have weekly court appearances, regular drug testing, find employment and if necessary be placed in a rehabilitation treatment center.
"Drugs In Prison" - Of the 1.7 million inmates, 80 percent have a history of drug or alcohol use. This program explores the taping of an HBO special about prisoners in East Jersey State Prison. Officials main concern is the battle of drugs being won in prisons. Would rehabilitation treatment including educational, literacy and vocational trainings change the focus from drugs for some inmates?
"Federal Sentencing (Capital Punishment)" - This show discusses the Unabomber court case. When it comes to federal cases, how does the prosecution work? What about pro se representation? What about the death penalty and the terms insanity defense, mental defect and diminished capacity? These questions and related subjects are examined during this program.
"Gay Adoption" - What constitutes a family is the issue in this episode, which examines the way the new laws in New Jersey are redefining families. Those who are for the ruling agree that foster children should be given the chance to receive love from whomever is willing to give. Those who are against argue that children who are in need of parents should be adopted by the 'traditional' family.
"Gay Bashing in Schools" - Are high schools safe havens for gay children? How can schools address anti-gay violence? Diversity and tolerance in schools are now part of the curriculum which hopes to address these issues. The show explores some programs which are being implemented.
"Megan's Law/First Amendment" - This program explores what sanctions should be taken, if any, against violators who improperly disseminate information. Also discussed, does the media's First Amendment Right's qualify when they report information that the courts deemed confidential.
"Privacy and the Internet" - E-mail, web-page, cyberspace are new words in the English vocabulary because of the emergence of computers in our personal and work-related lives. This program addresses whether there is legal protection from private, business, government sources or computer servers. Other issues raised in this episode include what are our rights in cyberspace and are privacy and property rights being redefined?
"Random Drug Testing In Schools" - Drugs cross all economic levels throughout schools in the nation. Yet, school officials, students and parents are concerned about illegal invasion of privacy, unreasonable search and seizure and straightforward methods of attacking student drug use. Livingston High School students in New Jersey report on drugs in their school, and how students and school officials wish to deal with the problem.
"Retrospective '97-98" - A look back at the programs aired during this season. Topics include, Megan's Law; the execution of Karla Fay Tucker and the death penalty in New Jersey; the Drug Court of Camden County; AIDS and HIV, the question of confidentially and discrimination; Sharon Taxman v. Piscataway Township Board of Education; and David Shephard's wrongful conviction and DNA testing.
"School Residency Law" - Sending a child to an out-of-residency school is becoming more common. This episode features an interesting debate dealing with family hardships, constitutional issues and quality education. Also discussed are the issues of living in one town, but paying school taxes in another and parents surrendering custody for a child to live with a relative.
"Sexual Harassment on Campus" - Could female coeds on campus be in jeopardy of sexual harassment? How common is harassment on campus? How many cases are getting into the courts? Are non-participants (students) accepting of student/teacher relationships? How can such a relationship be bias during grading? Answers to these concerns are discussed during this episode.
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