Suppose you’re a lawyer, legal professional, or just interested in the law and all of its intricacies. In that case, there is no shortage of excellent documentaries about everything from courtroom drama to police investigations. Here are five awesome legal documentaries that will give you insight into the world of crime and punishment:
1) “Making a Murderer.”
Netflix’s smash-hit documentary series follows the story of Steven Avery, who served 18 years for rape before being exonerated through DNA evidence. Shortly after his release from prison, he was accused and convicted of murder with no physical evidence to tie him to the crime.
2) “The Thin Blue Line.”
Winner of best documentary at the 1988 Sundance Film Festival, this film examines a Dallas police officer’s murder and subsequent trial. The director was able to show that there were many holes in the case against Randall Adams for killing a cop, which led to his release from prison. In addition, the film led to a reexamination of Adams’ case, leading to his actual killer being brought to justice.
3) “The OJ Simpson Murder Trial.”
This two-part documentary looks at the trial of a former football player and actor, O.J. Simpson, in his 2007 criminal case for armed robbery and kidnapping. This film gives insight into how high-profile tests are conducted by following both sides closely throughout the proceedings.
4) “Thought Crimes.”
This is a documentary about how the United States government created and funded mind control experiments on unwitting citizens. This film follows John C. Marks, who was responsible for filing the original freedom of information act request to get more information on these tests that were conducted in response to Soviet brainwashing techniques during the Cold War era.
5) “Citizenfour”
This documentary is about Edward Snowden, the former CIA officer who leaked thousands of classified NSA documents to journalists in 2013. This film follows his journey from when he first reached out to journalist Glenn Greenwald right up until it was revealed that he was responsible for these leaks.
In conclusion, if you’re a fan of crime dramas, courtroom proceedings, or just the law in general, there is no shortage of awesome legal documentaries that will give insight into these fascinating topics. In addition, these films are a great way to stay up on current events and see how new discoveries in the law can change an entire case.