Topics
The topics covered during The Court of Public Opinion conference attempted to provide a multi-faceted lens through which to view the problems encountered by all groups involved in a high-profile criminal case. Six of conference panels focused on the perspective of a particular set of participants in a high-profile case: the traditional media, new media, defense counsel, prosecutors, the public, and the court. These panels examined the relevant laws, applicable ethics codes, and common practices of each group in an effort to better understand both why they act as they do and what steps might be taken in each arena to protect the rights of those involved in the legal process.
Other panels offered a comparative legal approach to balancing public and private interests and insight into the roles and priorities of an institution during a time of crisis. Then two non-traditional panels—A "Fred Friendly Roundtable" and "A Conversation: Living Through Lacrosse"—offered a chance, in hindsight, to analyze the Duke lacrosse incident and offer advice for those who might face similiar situations.
Each link in the right sidebar will take you to a page containing a brief summary of each panel, discussion topics, the full video along with video clips from individual speakers, and a transcript from the panel.