Trials Taking Place
The most famous of the trials occurred in the first year that they were held. These were called the Trials of Major War Criminals ("Nuremberg Trials"). Held between 1945 and 1946, these trials were the most well known and had the strongest impact on society. Unlike other various trials from this era, they offered a panel of judges as opposed to a one-person jury and judge ("Nuremberg Trials"). This set a new precedent for future trials worldwide, as they began to adopt this system of jury. Indicted criminals were given basic rights including the ability to choose their own lawyer. This in addition set future judicial precedents. Those indicted included 24 individual officers and 6 Nazi organizations, as Hitler and his top associates committed suicide before they could be put on trial ("The Nuremberg Trials"). The intention to gain justice for the millions lives killed was quite fulfilled following the trials. All but 3 of the accused were found guilty ("Nuremberg Trials"). This first set of trials was viewed as quite successful to the three countries acting as hosts.
Following the Trials of Major War Criminals were the Subsequent Trials: 12 additional trials in 1946 through 1949 convicting major Nazi leaders ("Nuremberg Trials"). Although not nearly as well known as the first set of trials, these still played an important role in bringing justice to Jewish society. Some major sets of trials during this period included the Doctor's trials. These were accusing 23 defendants who aided in the medical experimentation of German Jews ("Nuremberg Trials"). During the Holocaust, many of Hitler's aids tested new forms of medicine on innocent Jewish citizens. This inevitably led to large amounts of disease and deaths in those tested. Another set of significant trials were the Judge's trials. During the Holocaust, many lawyers and judges were guilty of implementing laws that assisted in plans of Nazis. In the judge's trials, 16 lawyers and judges were convicted of their crimes ("Nuremberg Trials"). As the Subsequent trials came to a close, the Nuremberg Trials came to a close as well. The aftermath of the second set of trials included 185 indicted, 12 death sentences, 8 life terms, and 77 varied terms in prison ("Nuremberg Trials"). |