:31:03
He was a man born with the qualities
of a great legal mind.
:31:11
Would you tell us
from your own experience...
:31:15
the position of the judge in Germany
prior to the advent of Adolf Hitler.
:31:21
The position of the judge
was one of complete independence.
:31:26
Now, would you describe
the contrast, if any...
:31:30
after the coming to power
of National Socialism in 1933?
:31:34
Judges became subject
to something outside of objective justice.
:31:40
They became subject to what was necessary
for the protection of the country.
:31:45
Would you explain this, please?
:31:47
The first consideration of the judge...
:31:49
became the punishment of acts
against the state...
:31:53
rather than objective consideration
of the case.
:31:56
And what other changes were there?
:31:59
The right to appeal was eliminated.
:32:03
The Supreme Court of the Reich
was replaced by...
:32:07
People's and Special Courts.
:32:10
The concept of race
was made a legal concept for the first time.
:32:15
And what was the result of this?
:32:18
The result?
:32:21
The result was
to hand over the administration of justice...
:32:25
into the hands of the dictatorship.
:32:28
Now, Dr. Wieck...
:32:29
Col. Lawson, I would like
to ask a few questions.
:32:33
Did the judiciary protest these laws
abridging their independence?
:32:37
A few of them did.
:32:39
Those who did resigned,
or were forced to resign.
:32:46
Others adapted themselves
to the new situation.
:32:51
Do you think the judiciary was aware
of the consequences to come?
:32:55
At first, perhaps not.
:32:59
Later it became clear to anyone
who had eyes and ears.