Law and Literature episode 3; miscarriages of justice: Dreyfus, Wilde, Roy Cohn and Joe McCarthy

The conversation delves into the theme of miscarriages of justice in literature and real life, exploring the impact of religious fundamentalism on justice and the role of journalism in exposing miscarriages of justice. It covers the Dreyfus Affair and Emile Zola, the themes of The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible, and the Scopes Trial and the McCarthy Era. The conversation delves into the legacy of Roy Cohn, the impact of prosecutorial misconduct on miscarriages of justice, the trials of Oscar Wilde and Jean Valjean, and the prevalence of prejudice and demonization within the legal system.TakeawaysMiscarriages of justice in literatureThe impact of religious fundamentalism on justiceThe role of journalism in exposing miscarriages of justice Miscarriages of justice can occur due to prosecutorial misconductThe poor and marginalized often lack the resources to fight back against the legal systemChapters00:00 The Dreyfus Affair and Emile Zola13:37 The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible22:18 The Scopes Trial and the McCarthy Era28:48 The Legacy of Roy Cohn41:42 The Trials of Oscar Wilde and Jean Valjean