The Rule of Law in the Labyrinth of the Human Element: From the Billy Milligan Phenomenon to “12 Angry Men”

Abstract

The article examines the boundary between the strict ideal of the rule of law and the human factors present within the judicial process. Drawing upon real-world precedents (the Billy Milligan case and somnambulism) alongside cinematic examples (“12 Angry Men” and “Philadelphia”), it demonstrates that final verdicts are frequently the result of emotional pressure, social stigmas and personal traumas rather than a purely objective analysis of evidence.

The text analyzes the legal challenges that phenomena such as dissociative identity disorder and involuntary behavior pose to the justice system. Referencing American experience, the study also addresses the contemporary Georgian reality. It highlights that despite the introduction of the jury system, the local infrastructure still faces the challenge of overcoming stereotypes and fully integrating medical-psychological aspects. The article concludes that the primary value of democratic law lies not in a standard of absolute infallibility but rather in the capacity for reasonable doubt, humanism and a profound responsibility toward the fate of the individual.