Prologue by the Honorable E Leroy R. Hassell

Program Information
Transcript
Virginia Standards

Program Information

Program: Judicial Independence in the New World
Segment Number: 1 (Watch entire program)
Duration: 00:01:16
Year Produced: 2009
Description:

The Honorable E Leroy R. Hassell opens the door for exploration into the history of the judicial system in Virginia.

The court system is an ever-changing and evolving entity, and there are key moments of history when Virginia's people and its judicial system made everlasting impressions on the country. JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IN THE NEW WORLD tells the story of the development of the court system in the early years of our nation's history. Historians take us back to the Court Days and Pre-Revolution and Post-Revolution periods to explain the rule of law and the basics of the court system we know today.

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Transcript

Hassell:
Hi, my name is Leroy Roundtree Hassell. I serve as the Chief Justice of The Supreme Court of Virginia. Virginia’s court system is the oldest court system in America. Our court system was established upon the founding of Jamestown. Once upon a time, Virginians were intimately aware of their rights. Virginians all across this vast commonwealth would gather at their local courthouses during events called “Court Days.” The citizens would watch trials, they would discuss the outcomes of those trials and they would interact in a very festive manner. As Virginia’s court system began to grow, Virginians became somewhat distant from our courts. And unfortunately, today, many Virginians are unaware of the role of our courts even though Virginia’s court system handles more cases than the entire federal judiciary. Today’s documentary will help reacquaint our fellow Virginians with our court system and your rights.

Virginia Standards