Original subtitles

Mom!

Dad! Dad!

What? What?

Got to pee.

Okay. No, I mean for real.

Regular. You mean like on the toilet? Yes, I feel it. I think I can do it.

We'll undo you, honey. We'll do the next few, all right? Hurry.

We're going to get you in there. Okay, easy. Easy, honey.

Hurry. Okay, I got him. Come on through. Come on through. Look out. Here we go.

Come on through.

All right, here we go.

Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Easy.

Easy. Easy.

We'll help you with this. Just relax, sweetie. Get out.

Oh, come on out, everybody out.

works again.

Never mind.

Nothing's happening.

I'm sorry. You just take your time.

Please, God, let him be.

Let him go, please.

It feels like it will come out, but it's not.

Well, here, why don't you just take my hand here, okay?

I'm here with you, okay?

I'm doing it.

On purpose, by myself, I'm doing it.

He's doing it.

He's going to the bathroom. Your brother's going to the bathroom.

Thank you, God.

Thank you, God.

I must have forgotten my keys. I couldn't... What's this?

Well, I was captain of the cheerleading team, 1967.

I can still wear it.

Why would you want to?

Stupid press conference this morning. I'm really a wreck.

Whenever I feel a crisis coming, I put it on. My therapist, he thinks it's

because...

Takes me back to a time when I felt the best about myself. You know, popular,

beautiful, cheerleader captain.

You should have seen how I looked in this.

I can imagine.

But I still ain't sure why you got to wear it before a press conference.

Because it gives me strength.

And I'm going to need it. I'm about to change the life and the law of Rome,

Wisconsin. I'm going to need all the strength I can muster.

gonna be one tough day.

People versus Timothy Hendricks. Count one, abuse of a child. Count two,

possession of a firearm.

Count three, attempted murder.

Juvenile session. The room is supposed to be sealed.

They're all relatives of the defendant.

He's not gonna get more leniency by you turning this into a family affair.

Right, Judge. It's just what I'm doing.

It's just a stunt to take advantage of your big, soft, sentimental heart.

Your Honor, both parties would like to enter a joint plea.

The people will dismiss the abuse of child and weapon charges, and the

agrees to plead guilty to the count of attempted murder.

And we do want to be heard on sentencing. There are mitigating

which caused my client to shoot the Brock boy.

Such as?

Television. It made him violent.

Movies, too.

Do you expect me to take that seriously?

Well, Congress takes it so seriously, they want to regulate TV.

Studies show... Humboldt, that young man's life is in your hands.

I hope to God you don't use this proceeding as a photographic opportunity

yourself on the news.

Is that what Senator Paul Simon is doing? Is that what Janet Reno is doing?

The Attorney General of our country is threatening to censor television and...

The Attorney General isn't standing in my courtroom.

You are. And if you're planning to argue that television made your client shoot

Matthew Brock, you damn well better back it up with psychiatric and scientific

evidence. I will, Judge.

The defendant is found guilty of attempted murder.

The other charges are dropped.

Sentencing hearing tomorrow at 10 o 'clock.

Television.

Yes,

absolutely television at the start. In fact, beginning today, we'll be

scrambling images of all television programs that we think are too violent.

Such as...

Well, we'll be looking at NYPD Blue, Beaver and, what is it, Butt Face.

by the way, the television show the parents are really complaining about.

who decides which shows are too violent? For now, the decisions will be made by

myself, Minister Novotny, our school principal, Michael Oslo. But

Are you concerned about censorship and the dangerous precedent this might be

setting? We're censoring actions and violence, not words. You really think

that's a distinction?

The message has been sent from Washington. Government has a stake in

television mayhem. We are doing that.

We'll worry about the First Amendment problems later. So the Rome government

from now on will decide what we watch?

Right now, those idiots in Hollywood are deciding what you watch. Who do you

trust more?

Do you think that those buffoons in La La Land are worried about your kids? Of

course they're not.

The Rome government is.

This is wonderful. It plays right into my defense.

Why? If the mayor starts banning television, the court will have to take

judicial notice that it causes harm. Never mind. I just want to know, can she

legally censor the airwaves?

No, but... Sheriff Rock.

Hi. I just come from the city council and they just passed two ordinances.

First, all handguns in Rome are now illegal, except for the police.

I'd like you to schedule weekly locker searches at the schools.

And I would also like random checkpoints on the road.

That's unconstitutional. You can't do that.

Well, Franklin Dell thinks that we can make out a clear and present danger

theory to support it.

Also, ordinance number two, we're requiring all Rome citizens to be

fingerprinted. What?

This is Max's idea, and I think it's a good one.

It'll help us solve crimes a lot faster, Jimmy, and it could save us over $100

,000 of investigation costs.

But what about litigation costs? You'll be sued.

Let them sue.

I also want roadblocks for simple identity checks. And everyone you pull

even for traffic tickets, I want you to fingerprint them, too.

Criminals are going to think twice before entering our city limits.

Look, it was my son that took the bullet.

Nobody wants to fix things more than I do. But this?

What about basic civil rights?

Safety first.

Let's start with the roadblocks tonight, and tomorrow we'll sit down and we'll

figure out how to fingerprint everybody.

She can actually do that?

Well, Wambaugh thinks it'll be struck down by the courts, but initially, yes,

she can do it.

Okay. I want you to flex your feet four times each, okay?

You're doing a good job, Matthew. Keep up the good work.

Cheers, baby.

Jill, I want you to talk to her.

Me? If I protest, she just thinks it's a male power thing. With you, she

listens.

Well, tell me, what do you expect me to say?

That we live in a free society, that we don't go around conducting search and

seizures, fingerprinting everybody.

Maybe we have more freedom than we know what to do with.

I beg your pardon?

So we fingerprint, so we stop a few cars and we search for guns. What's the

worst that can happen?

A few less people get shot?

A few less criminals get away, maybe?

I can't believe I'm hearing this from you. Well, there are a lot of things

are hard to believe. I can't believe how close our son came to needing a

catheter to urinate for the rest of his life.

I can't believe that Zachary has nightmares every night from seeing his

get shot.

Jimmy, they are both going to need serious therapy, probably long term. So

now, I do not give a rat's ass about Joe Citizen's right to privacy.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound like a stupid redneck, but... You show me a

person who's screaming about civil rights, and I will show you a parent who

never had to see her child in a wheelchair.

How many times did you see the Terminator?

Three. I saw Terminator 2 six times.

Must have been very good.

Yes, it was.

You listed your favorite actors as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester

Clint Eastwood. Is it because they carry guns and blast people into little bits?

Objection. Leading. This is a sentencing hearing, counsel, not a trial. I'll

give him some latitude.

Thank you, Judge.

Your parents ever take you to family movies?

Yes. We saw Jurassic Park twice.

Hmm. And what was your favorite part of that movie?

Um, probably when the T -Rex bit the lawyer's head off when he was on the

toilet. Oh, yes.

He was enjoying some quiet time. What an awful way to be interrupted, having

your skull chewed up that way.

Objection. Counsel.

Forgive my digression, Judge.

It's just that a bowel movement should be sacred.

I'm sure you hold it very dear, but stick to the case. Of course.

Let's turn to television, Timmy.

You like television?

I love television. But the airwaves are filled with too much gratuitous

violence. And I'm not going to let it... You cannot dictate to a cable company

which movies we can and cannot show. Listen.

Your franchise renewal comes up in two months. We could start buying channels

from a satellite company and air only the shows we want. The technology

Danny, cable companies do not have a monopoly anymore.

The power is switching back to the consumer.

Yes, but you're not the consumer.

You're the government.

And if it starts here with television, what's next?

Booked? She wants the school to ban booked?

Here's the list, authorized by the city council.

I think mice and men, that's John Steinbeck.

They say it endorses violence on a lower level.

Catcher in the Rye? The same thing, violence.

Michael.

It's not my idea.

The worst is that it's not just Rachel's idea either. Other towns are already

doing this.

Dracula's been banned because of violence.

The Outsiders, that's a classic.

Elephant's Child by Rudyard Kipling. We can't let her get away with this. Well,

we've got to organize and do something because I'm afraid she will get away

it. Many communities across the country are starting to remove Mark Twain.

Hemingway, even.

The censorship is beginning.

This is insane.

It's not insane.

Movies and television definitely can affect a child's predisposition toward

aggression. How?

It's called disinhibiting.

Basically, the viewing of violence on the screen desensitizes the viewers,

especially the young viewer. Do you think that this happened with Timmy

Hendricks, Doctor?

I believe so.

This young man, on average, has witnessed 37 violent deaths per week in

seven years.

Death and violence have been completely trivialized for him. Are you saying,

Doctor, when Timothy fired his gun at Matthew Brock, he didn't know right from

wrong? No, he knew it was wrong.

But he didn't appreciate the gravity of the act.

That these kids can be so casual about murder and mayhem.

That is the horror.

Now, when Timothy Hendricks pulled that trigger, he understood the nature and

consequences of his actions, didn't he? Well, that's a tricky point, too. He

knew that Matthew Brock might be killed.

Yes. And in fact, according to your examination of Timothy Hendricks, that

his intent, wasn't it? To kill Matthew Brock.

One has to take into consideration that this young... Yes or no.

What's his intent to kill Matthew Brock?

Yes. And these studies of television and movies and their effect on children,

how many such studies are you aware of?

Hundreds. Hundreds?

Is there any unanimity?

Most conclude that exposure to violence on the screen does have a negative

impact on a child's aggressiveness.

Has any study, anywhere?

offered probative scientific evidence which proves a causal link between

violence and committing it.

No. And in fact, in your own personal study, Doctor, hasn't your evidence

suggested that for children in good homes, normal sociability, that for

children, television and movies have virtually no impact?

Isn't that correct?

Yes.

Have you met Timothy's parents?

Yes, I have.

They're good, solid people.

Excellent role models.

Good role modeling can be part of the problem.

Why?

Many of the characters who commit violence on screen are depicted as

So it's the role models who are pulling the trigger.

People in movie theaters stand up and applaud when the good guy kills the bad

guy. Timothy Hendricks knew he wasn't the good guy.

It isn't so simple, Counsel.

Revenge is a good on television, even when it's illegal.

With Malice of Forethought, he attempted murder, and you're going to lay that

on, what, Jake and the Fat Man?

Television can create a mindset, Counselor.

I think it did so with Timothy Hendricks.

And in this town, that was a mindset endorsed by the whole community.

Wait, excuse me?

Look what happened when your ex -mayor blew away that carjacker.

With Malice of Forethought, the mayor of Rome, a role model.

Pulled a trigger and murdered a human being.

And he was convicted of murder.

He was also canonized.

The town cheered.

And that boy sitting there, he heard those cheers.

Hail, hail for vengeance.

He heard those cheers.

I don't care if people are cheering. I don't care how popular you are. I will

not fingerprint people. We will not set up identification roadblocks.

The decision has been made, Jimmy.

City Hall has already... These measures are unconstitutional.

That's for a court to decide, not you.

I will not do it.

That's your official position?

Yes, it is.

Effective immediately, you're fired.

You can't fire me the city council.

Actually, she can.

And has.

Chapter 362 of the city articles authorizes her to summarily dismiss the

for cause.

Chapter 2, subsection B, listing insubordination.

You think you'll get away with this?

Look, Jimmy.

I really wanted us to get along.

You have given me nothing but crap and blatant interference since the first day

I took office.

And I'm not going to take it anymore.

I have more power in this town than you.

Take your shot.

I just took mine.

Have your things cleared out of your office by tomorrow morning at ten.

I'm going to court. I'm taking this to court.

I'm really sorry to bother you. Oh, well, um, we were just eating.

I was wondering...

If I could have a second of your time.

Um... In private.

I just want you to know how deeply, deeply sorry I am. I know.

How this could have happened. I just...

This will sound a little crazy, but you know my son, Timmy.

You've been his doctor.

He and Matthew were even friends before.

Anyway, the lawyers are telling us that he could be locked up till he's 21.

He's 12.

He could be put in jail.

He obviously needs a great deal of help.

But he's not evil.

If Judge Bone heard from you, if you asked him for leniency,

he'd have to listen.

You want me to make an appeal on behalf of the boy who tried to murder my son?

You of all people.

Know the fear of losing a child.

I'm faced with losing mine.

Childhood is over for Matthew.

Maybe it should be for Timmy.

Maybe your son isn't evil, but... I'm not...

I'm not strong enough to do what you're asking me to do.

And again, please accept my apology.

She fired you?

We think we can overturn court.

Littleton's going to stand up for me, but I don't know. Jimmy, what if you

to do the stuff that Rachel wants you to do? Fingerprint, innocent people,

roadblocks.

What?

Nothing. I agree with you.

I do.

What, say it?

I'm scared, that's all.

We have two sons who are extremely fragile right now, emotionally,

psychologically. This is a bad time for their father to get fired.

And the Clinton health plan is going to cut my salary by 30%. If we lose your

income, Jimmy, then... I'll get another job.

Jimmy, you're 52 years old.

I mean, how many opportunities are there for 52 -year -old sheriffs? And do you

really want to be something other than a sheriff?

Visiting hours are really over at nine.

Cuff. Open it.

I'll call you when I'm ready to go.

I should really guard.

Get out.

When did you decide to shoot the Brock boy?

After he hurt my brother with the potato thing.

So, after that you went home and got the gun out of your parents' sight.

Did you think about what you were about to do?

I don't know.

What if you had killed him?

What then?

Did you want to kill him?

What do you think about now?

That I might have to stay in jail.

I'm appearing today pro bono for Sheriff Brock, but also as the district

attorney and an officer of this court, I object to what Mayor Harris is doing.

She's ordering the sheriff to violate the Constitution of the United States.

What Constitution have you been reading? The one with the Fourth Amendment.

Police officers are required to have a reasonable suspicion before stopping or

detaining anybody.

To suggest that we just start pulling people over for no reason violates every

principle of freedom and liberty.

Fingerprinting them is a blatant abuse of government power.

Next, she's going to want to install video cameras in people's houses. A lot

people have already installed those cameras as part of their home security

systems. The people are scared.

The people are willing to forfeit some of these precious civil liberties you go

around... You're talking about the Bill of Rights. Yes, I know what I'm talking

about. Quiet.

Mr. Dale, the soapbox is yours. Let's hear it. Gladly, Your Honor.

First of all, a fingerprint is nothing more than information.

It's data.

It's a form of identification.

This country historically collects certain personal information about its

citizens. It's done.

It isn't just done.

Fingerprinting isn't just done.

It's a gross invasion of privacy.

You should bear us the righteous indignation, will you please?

Counsel.

The Department of Transportation requires mandatory drug testing on over

million employees, Your Honor.

Drug testing of innocent, law -abiding people. That's got to be considered more

invasive than a fingerprint.

So let's not characterize this as a police action which should shock our

conscience. The day is coming.

when every United States citizen will have to be fingerprinted as a matter of

course. We all know it. And what about the random roadblocks? We do that, too.

Sobriety checkpoints are used everywhere to catch drunk drivers.

They just pull them over, just stop them at random. And why?

Because the threat of drunk driving became so severe that we had to suspend

certain civil liberties a little, just to stop it.

Anybody who steps on an airplane has had his baggage X -rayed.

Go through metal detectors.

To be searched for weapons. Everybody, even judges.

And why?

Because skyjacking was a problem. And we decided that it was necessary to

suspend certain civil rights in order to make air travel safer.

The very same principle is at work here.

Mayor Harris is making necessary adjustments to make Rome, Wisconsin a

place to live.

And those adjustments are so overbroad. That may be true, but that's for a court

to decide, not a sheriff. He doesn't have a law degree.

I do.

Oh, well, good for you. But that doesn't give you or him the right to impose

your constitutional analysis. As the district attorney of this town, I do

the right. You're not here as a district attorney, are you? Not today.

You're just a lawyer representing a cause. I fully expected to see Wambaugh.

Objection! Shut up.

I've heard enough.

Personally, I find the fingerprinting scheme offensive.

And I don't like the random roadblock either.

But Mr. Dell is right.

It is not the sheriff's job to pass judgment on policy.

He has no right to disavow the mayor and city council. I find cause for the

discharge. The termination is upheld.

We're adjourned. Everybody, get out.

Everybody,

back up. Get out of here. Back off.

Tell Ginny to circulate the petition.

Back off. Back off.

This is private.

Officer Stewart, you are now the acting sheriff.

Your first order of business is to take this man's badge and evict him from his

office.

I'm sorry, Jim.

You gave me no choice. Do your job, Sheriff.

Drafted a recall petition.

Jenny has it. We need 500 signatures and we can schedule a special election and

bounce her ass out of here.

She thinks she won. It ain't over. Go.

I don't know what to do.

You're not getting my badge.

If I get out, are you going to shoot me?

No.

Jimmy, it's an official order. I'm ignoring.

I don't think that's a good idea.

I don't give a damn what you think.

All right, everybody, listen up.

Now, I have been ordered to turn in my badge and give up my authority as

sheriff.

I'm defying that order. I'm staying right here as sheriff.

Now, any of you who continue to serve under me, risk contempt charges are

Now, you can stay here or go.

But if you stay, I expect you to obey my command.

Jimmy, this is the equivalent of a mutiny. This town needs a mutiny. I

like this any more than you, but for God's sake, you could end up in jail. I

will not lie down and let Rome, Wisconsin become a police state. I won't

that happen. This is my town.

Then let's do this the right way.

Go for a special election. I stay.

Any of you want to join the mayor, you go. You go now.

He can't do that.

He's doing it. You arrest him, Kenny.

Rachel. He's not a sheriff. He's a citizen, and he's breaking the law.

deputy, and I am telling you to arrest him. Rachel, calm down. Why is this

happening to me? I'm just trying to do my job. He made me fire him.

The whole town is going to side with them.

And they're going to impeach me.

Put yourself together.

I didn't want to be the mayor. I didn't want to do it. He asked me. I didn't

want to do it.

Okay, baby, okay.

Well, I'll just have to call in the state police.

Excuse me?

I'm going to call the attorney general.

The state police will respond.

I'm going to take him out with Borth if I have to.

Are you serious?

You tell your boss.

He's going down.

Video mayhem is out of control.

Our morning cartoons are child witnesses, 20 violent acts per hour.

Video games at the mall are called Total Carnage and Captain Destroyer. All the

entertainment is kill, kill, kill.

Our heroes like Clint Eastwood.

cock the trigger and say, make my day.

A quote later used and glorified by President Reagan.

President Bush and President Clinton, why their popularity in the polls soared

when they sent men to battle in Iraq and Somalia.

We love to fight.

We love to kill.

It's the American way.

And with television, it's almost like brainwashing. The images come right into

the living room.

It's pervasive.

It's subliminal.

Now, I'm not asking you to forgive Timothy Henricks.

He committed a crime.

But we all have to take responsibility.

In Africa, they say it takes a whole village to raise a child.

Look at our village.

We mix entertainment and violence.

Now, what kind of a society would see fit to do that? And what kind of a

would mock a Dirty Harry as a role model?

Sure, he deserves to be punished.

But we all have to take responsibility.

Toronto gets the same television, the same movies, the same video games as

Chicago.

In Chicago, there are 1 ,000 handgun murders a year.

In Toronto, 15.

Television programs in Japan are 10 times more violent than American

yet violent crimes in that country are almost non -existent.

Now, I'll agree with Mr. Wambaugh.

Fighting, killing, that's the American way.

But if we want to use television and movies as a scapegoat for all the mayhem

our country, then our society is diseased beyond repair.

Yes, there may be an impact.

Yes, video violence may desensitize our kids. But if you really want to

desensitize them, put Timothy Hendricks back on the streets.

Trivialize the fact that he put a bullet into a classmate.

Go easy on him.

Send him back to the playground and let the sociologist debate the influence of

Ninja Turtle.

Yeah, that'll show him a message.

That'll show him how serious we are. Murder somebody and it's straight to bed

with no television.

Society's problem, yes.

No question.

But he is guilty of attempted murder.

Of course we have to put him away.

Of course we do.

Tell him he has 30 minutes. We're not going to move yet, but he doesn't give

the office. What are you going to do, Rachel? Start a war? The state police

here to take back the sheriff's station.

We're going to do what's necessary.

You'll be ready.

Right,

we're ready.

We hold our positions right here.

Nobody draws any weapons. Jimmy, this is nuts.

The more public this becomes, the better. We want this town to turn on it.

if they turn on you?

Kenny, you want to go with the mayor, go, but don't... Jimmy, what are you

doing?

I don't have a choice, Joe.

You're taking the law into your own hands.

It's vigilantism, Jimmy, and it's not you.

One of the reasons I put on this badge was to defend a free society.

But you can't win on this.

I know that I've become the voice of selfishness lately, but... We have a

family.

Don't risk jail, please.

Don't you think... Our son was shot.

Part of me wants to do what she's asking for, but what kind of town do we want

our kids to grow up in? A safer one. That's what Rachel's after.

A lot of people think she's right. A lot of people are with her on this.

All the more reason I have to fight.

Unbelievable, Henry. The state police are surrounding the building and Jimmy

won't leave.

I'm having my lunch. Go away.

You're a character.

Meanwhile, there's a petition around town for a recall, which means that

going to have a special election.

I could make a run for mayor again.

Could I count on your endorsement, Henry? The truth? Of course the truth.

friends. I'd sooner die face first into my cat's litter box than plug you for

mayor. What a character.

I could see the wind blowing.

The town is divided between Rachel and Jimmy.

There's deep division.

It's my opening.

I'm the compromise, don't you think?

I couldn't imagine a bigger compromise, huh?

Oh, thank you, Henry.

My time has come. I can smell it.

I'm the future of Rome, Wisconsin.

Jimmy,

give it up.

This doesn't involve you.

Come on, Jimmy.

I can't allow you to do this.

You here to support her?

Look, I hope that she gets run out of town, but right now, her actions are

within the law. Yours aren't.

I'm staying.

Hey!

I'm not leaving.

Sheriff, place this man under arrest and take him into custody.

I am the district attorney. I instructed you to make an arrest.

Looks like you might have the whole office to arrest.

It's time to stop sticking up for the man and start sticking up for what he's

always represented be the sheriff he used to be

You

are under arrest, please

place your hands behind your back Jimmy do it

Please.

I have to cuff you.

It's policy.

Take him to the courthouse.

Case number 32114, people versus Jimmy Brock, disorderly conduct, inciting a

riot. Douglas Fombo for the martyr, Your Honor.

And may I say for the record, no.

Just once, I'd like you to say nothing.

Bailiff.

Bring the Hendricks boy in.

I'll do his sentencing now, too.

Mrs.

Hendricks, I apologize for making this public.

But the whole town knows what's going on with your son anyway.

Young man, I have no doubt that you are a victim.

of society and television.

I imagine they have let you down sorely.

But you, young fella, have let society down more.

Your reckless disregard for human life is horrifying.

The tears you've cried, I think, go more to the fear of what's going to happen

to you than to the tragedy you're responsible for.

You attempted to kill a boy.

I sentence you to Lincoln Hills Juvenile Facility indefinitely.

Whether you're out before you turn 21 depends entirely on you, which is little

comfort.

Adjourned.

Take him away.

Now, for the rest of you, you want to go home and blame television for what

transpired here, feel free.

But don't forget to condemn yourselves in the process.

Mr. Wambaugh is right.

It takes an entire village to raise a child.

And this village is failing horribly.

I don't know how to fix it.

But the answer can't be in the obliteration of civil rights.

It can't lie in banning Mark Twain and J .D. Salinger from our school libraries.

We can't be exalting fear and retribution.

At a time we need vision and education.

That man's kid got shot.

If anybody had the right to demand warrantless searches or random

was him. But he didn't. He clung to his belief that a government has to respect

and trust its citizenry.

He... is the center of this town.

And I'll be damned if I'm going to throw him in jail.

The case against him is hereby dismissed.

Now, for our mayor.

I don't agree with your politics, Miss Harris, but I admire your tenacity.

As much as this town needs his sense of morality, we need...

Your guts.

This town needs you both.

But it needs you working together.

Unfortunately, I can't order you, as a judge, to work things out.

As a citizen, as a person who lives in Rome, who wants to see

kids grow up with the same commitment to community that you two have,

I beg you to work things out.

That's all.

We're done.