"It is in justice that the ordering of society is centered" Aristotle.
Justice; the word in itself means to conform to the law. But who or what does the law have to conform to? In the novel, "A Time to Kill" by John Grisham many questions are answered such as, do people have the right to take justice into their own hands? And, is the Criminal Justice system colorblind? .
Clanton, Mississippi. The life of a ten year old black girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men when she is brutally raped and left to die. The mainly white town reacts with shock and horror at this inhumane crime. That is until her black father vows revenge and takes justice into his own hands. As Pete Willard and Billy Ray Cobb leave the courtroom on the first day of their trial, they are shot and killed by Carl Lee Hailey the father of Tonya, the little girl raped. In shooting these men, Carl Lee also shot and wounded a police officer. Now the guilt is on Carl Lee, as he is arrested and put on trial for the murder of the two rapists. Young Jake Brigance, struggling to keep his law practice afloat, suddenly finds himself defending the now famous Carl Lee against murder charges. Ellen Roark, a top of the class law student from Ole Miss, offers her services to Jake, for no fee, just for the opportunity to become part of a most likely death penalty conviction, which she is so much against. The trial becomes nation wide news, and soon the Klu Klux Klan has become involved and begins threatening the county with burning crosses and death threats. Burning crosses, attempts the blow up his house, and even gun him down give Jake enough reason to make his wife and child leave to stay with their parents. With the news of the big trial, over one hundred citizens of Clanton are sequestered for jury duty. Form these one hundred, ten white and two black citizens are chosen. .
An old boss of Jake's gives needed advice to prepare him for trial and also supplies the name of a psychiatrist who can be easily bribed.