1) What is meant by “trials of the century”? What is the relation between the court and the media in so-called trials of the century?
2) How much pretrial publicity is necessary for a change of venue?
3) What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of allowing the media into courtrooms?
4) What are some opposing views regarding frivolous lawsuits and excessive jury awards? Should defendants be allowed millions of dollars in damages for minor injuries or mental suffering? Why or why not?
5) What is tort reform? Who benefits from tort reform?
6) What types of circumstances suggest that pretrial publicity is unfavorable to defendants?
7) What is the litigation explosion? Why do you believe that it has occurred?
8) What is a gag order? Why do judges impose gag orders on jurors and other participants in legal actions?
9) Do media representatives have a constitutional right to enter and record what is going on in U.S. courtrooms? What are your opinions on this issue?
10) What is the court of public opinion? How does it affect or influence trial outcomes?