Twelve Angry Men
Introduction
Twelve Angry Men is a play written by
Reginald Rose, who actually wrote the drama
based on his real-life experience in a New York
courtroom.
In the story, 12 jurors are debating the fate
of a juvenile boy, who is being charged with the
murder of his father.
The entire play is set in the jury room where
the jurors debate and try to get to a unanimous
vote of guilty or not-guilty.
Questions to consider…
•What is justice?
•Does prejudice exist in our legal
system?
•What crimes should be punishable
by death?
•Is our legal system fair?
Connections
• How would the jury in Twelve Angry Men
voted in a case against George in
Of Mice and Men?
• Are the prejudices illustrated in the play similar
to the ones illustrated in Of Mice and Men?
• Was justice served in both stories?
Vocabulary
• Burden of proof:
– required evidence to establish a basis for filing legal
action with a court.
• Due process of law:
– the constitutional guarantee that an accused person
receives a fair and impartial trial.
• Presumption of innocence:
– a principle that requires the government to prove the
guilt of a criminal defendant and relieves the
defendant of any burden to prove his or her
innocence.
Vocabulary
• Circumstantial evidence:
– indirect evidence that allows a conclusion to be
made.
• Beyond a reasonable doubt:
– standard of proof that must be agreed upon to
convict an accused person.
• Acquit:
– To set free, release or discharge
Vocabulary
• Defendant:
– the person charged with committing a crime.
• Prosecutor:
– trial lawyer representing the government in a criminal
case.
• Premeditated:
– planned ahead.
• Hung jury:
– a jury that cannot agree on a verdict.