Minnesota Public Radio's six-part series on the law and society, titled “The Role of the Courts in a Changing Society.” The 1977 documentary look at various components within the Minnesota legal system.
June 25, 1977 - MPR’s Bob Potter presents “The Role of the Courts in a Changing Society: Fritz vs. Warthan,” a documentary that examines landlord/tenant law in Minnesota and the court case Fritz vs. Wathan.
July 30, 1977 - MPR’s Bob Potter presents “The Role of the Courts in a Changing Society: Divorce, Voices in the Wind,” a documentary that examines Minnesota divorce laws. Includes such topics as how divorce law in Minnesota has changed from "fault" to "no-fault", alimony, child support, visitation, post-dissolution problems, and the role of attorneys.
August 27, 1977 - MPR’s Bob Potter presents “The Role of the Courts in a Changing Society: Criminal Law,” a documentary that follows the process of investigation, charging, trial, sentencing and appeals.
September 24, 1977 - MPR’s Dan Olson presents “The Role Of the Courts In A Changing Society: Cedar-Riverside high-rise development suit,” a documentary that xamines lawsuit challenging the Cedar-Riverside high-rise development in Minneapolis. The court's decision provides insight into how a single suit can change the profile of a large urban area, into the National Environmental Policy Act, and into how tax laws and government funds are used to provide inner-city housing.
October 24, 1977 - MPR’s Bob Potter presents “The Role of the Courts in a Changing Society: Football and Antitrust,” a documentary that explores the lawsuit ‘MacKey v. National Football League,’ which illustrates how anti-trust law relates to professional sports and how the courts helped mold professional football.
November 26, 1977 - MPR’s Bob Potter presents “The Role of the Courts in a Changing Society: A Look at Conciliation Court,” a documentary that examines Minnesota's lower courts, including the first taped excerpts ever broadcast from local conciliation and municipal court in Minnesota.