Legal Integrity
What important case did prosecutor Danielle Sassoon work on and why is integrity important in the Justice Department?
Danielle Sassoon worked on several significant cases, including a human trafficking case at Sarah Lawrence where she secured a 60-year prison sentence for the defendant. This demonstrates her understanding of the crucial role integrity plays in the Justice Department. As Joyce Vance explains, maintaining integrity is fundamental because once it's compromised, prosecutors lose credibility within their communities. This perspective emphasizes why principled legal professionals like Sassoon, who stand firm against political pressure, are essential to upholding justice in high-stakes cases.
Watch clip answer (00:26m)
MSNBC
01:52 - 02:19
Who is Danielle Sassoon and why is her career significant?
Danielle Sassoon is a 38-year-old federal prosecutor who made headlines for her principled resignation from the Justice Department after being given unethical directives. Despite her relatively young age, she is at the peak of her career rather than nearing its end. As a Federalist Society member and former clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia, Sassoon has established herself as a prosecutor of integrity. Her courageous stand against political influence in the justice system has drawn attention to the ethical challenges facing legal professionals today.
Watch clip answer (00:08m)MSNBC
00:50 - 00:59
Why do government agencies spend so much money on polygraph tests if they aren't primarily used for prosecuting criminals?
Government agencies like the FBI, CIA, DOD, and other law enforcement entities spend over $50 million annually on polygraph tests primarily for internal vetting purposes rather than criminal prosecution. These tests are administered to potential employees as part of the hiring process. For instance, the FBI requires every job candidate to undergo a polygraph examination. Collectively, the FBI, CIA, and DEA process over 70,000 polygraph results from job applicants. This extensive use demonstrates that polygraphs are predominantly employed as screening tools for ensuring personnel reliability within sensitive government positions.
Watch clip answer (00:47m)
Law By Mike
01:01 - 01:49
What are the three reasons why you shouldn't take a polygraph test?
First, statements made before or after a polygraph test can be admitted in court as evidence, even though the test results themselves likely won't be. Investigators can also manipulate this process by falsely claiming you failed to pressure you into a confession. Second, police often use polygraph results to determine whether to charge you and to what extent, despite their inadmissibility in court. Third, innocent people can fail polygraph tests due to emotional responses, making these tests unreliable for determining truthfulness.
Watch clip answer (00:48m)
Law By Mike
07:28 - 08:16
How accurate are lie detector tests?
The accuracy of lie detector (polygraph) tests varies significantly depending on multiple factors. Results can differ based on the person administering the test, the machine used, and especially the individual being tested. Due to this wide variability in accuracy, most states don't allow polygraph results as evidence in criminal court unless both parties agree to it. Even with agreement, many states still prohibit the admission of polygraph results as evidence in criminal cases, recognizing their unreliability despite how TV shows might portray them as 100% accurate.
Watch clip answer (00:41m)Law By Mike
00:06 - 00:48
What was the Saturday Night Massacre and why was it significant in American political history?
The Saturday Night Massacre occurred in 1973 when President Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was investigating Nixon. Instead of complying, Richardson resigned on principle, as did the Deputy Attorney General. Solicitor General Robert Bork eventually carried out the firing, but the scheme ultimately failed. A new prosecutor was appointed, and Nixon was driven from office. The principled stand taken by these officials represented a rare moment of moral courage in American politics. Those who resigned lived the rest of their lives in public honor, while the incident strengthened public confidence in the American judicial and prosecutorial systems.
Watch clip answer (01:32m)
MSNBC
09:37 - 11:09