Live from the Courtroom: How cameras shape true crime narratives

Adam R. Banner | The Law Offices of Adam R. Banner, P.C.

Adam R. Banner is the founder and lead attorney of The Law Offices of Adam R. Banner, P.C., a criminal defense law firm in Oklahoma City. His practice focuses solely on state and federal criminal defense. He represents the accused against allegations of sex crimes, violent crimes, drug crimes, and white-collar crimes. Mr. Banner’s practice is primarily geared towards trial advocacy, where he has secured various dismissals and acquittals in numerous major felony matters. Additionally, since 2017, he has written a bi-weekly column for the ABA Journal examining the intersection between law and pop culture.

I. The Impact of Media on the Justice System | 2:00pm – 2:30pm

• The Genisis of the True Crime Genre
  • True Crime’s Early Origins
  • The “Literary Take” On True Crime
•  The Courtroom of True Crime
  • The intersection of true crime and the court of public opinion
  • The role of media in shaping public perception of criminal cases
• High-Profile Case Studies: Media’s influence on the justice system
  • Analysis Of High-Profile Cases That Demonstrate the Impact of Media on The Justice System
  • Discussion Of the Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Media Coverage of Criminal Cases

II. Managing Media Influence and Ethical Considerations | 2:30pm – 3:00pm

• Who is Affected by Media in the Courtroom: Part One
  • In-Depth Analysis of The Media’s Effect on Defendants in High-Profile Cases
  • Strategies For Managing Prejudicial Media Coverage and Protecting Defendants’ Rights
• Who is Affected by Media in the Courtroom: Part two
  • In-Depth Analysis of The Media’s Effect on Judges and Lawyers in High-Profile Cases
  • Discussion Of the Dilemmas Presented by Media Coverage of Criminal Cases
• Who is Affected by Media in the Courtroom: Part three
  • In-Depth Analysis of The Media’s Effect on Detainees
  • Discussion Of the Ethical and Practical Implications of True Crime and Reality Television on Individuals Who Are Incarcerated

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

III. Evidentiary Issues and Practical Strategies | 3:10pm – 4:10pm

• Knowing Your Fact Finder
  • Judge v. Jury
• Dealing with True Crime in the Courtroom
  • The Pros and Cons of The True-Crime Fan and Jury Selection
  • How To Utilize the True-Crime Fan in Your Case
  • Managing Your Clients Expectations in An Oversaturated Environment
• Evidentiary Issues Created by Media
  • The “CSI Effect” And How It Can Bias a Fact Finder
  • Understanding The Impact of Media on Evidentiary Issues, Including DNA Evidence and Police Interrogations
  • Discussion Of the Challenges of Presenting Evidence in A Media-Saturated Environment
•  The Art of Advocating Through Storytelling
  • The “Page-Turner Effect” And How It Can Assist Your Advocacy
  • Using Delayed Gratification to Involve Your Audience
•  Practical Strategies for Setting Boundaries with Media
  • Tips For Setting Boundaries with Media to Benefit Client Cases While Adhering to Standards
  • Strategies For Managing Media Inquiries and Protecting Client Confidentiality
  • The Pros and Cons of Collaboration with A Production Team