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ROTHMAN S ARE NO LONGER an unusualsightin the courtroom. : the Interpreting Past in the Courtroom HAL K. The Public Historian University of California Press
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ComprehensiveEnvironmental Response, Compensation,and LiabilityAct, 42 far Yet each courtcase is unique, drivenbyfactors beyondtheroleand 1.
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The value of s the courtroom in depends on theirabilityto a credibleinterpretation the situation question.History of in in present is from academicexercise.s an thecourtroom far mustbe able to offer interpretation an that appears relevantto the case, is based on of evidence, and squares withthe judge's and jury'sunderstanding the of is testimony a a communicawaysoftheworld.The courtroom tionprocesswiththe potential vastly to influence important proceedings. others as explainactionsand decisionsofthepastbythevaluesoftheir timerather than ing the present. Some kinds profession, holding judges of cases, such as those adjudicated under the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) clause of CERCLA-more commonly knownas the SuOthers,such as cases in perfund Act-cry out forhistorical testimony.' which an ongoingpatternof allegedlyillegal behaviorwith rootsin a was sanctioned, historic timein whichthe behavior depend on historical Still utilizehistory context, evidenceto showcontinuity. s nowfunction a rangeofrolesand cases, offering in to and theirexpertise prosecution defensein civil,criminal, adminisand trativeproceedings.They have become valued consultants the legal to often thepowerto sway andjuries. Since the 1950s,s have been activein legalproceedings experts as and adversaries. Historian: Interpreting the Past in the Courtroom Historian: Interpreting the Past in the Courtroom Historian v.
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