Presumed Innocent (1990)

Alan J. Pakula's taut courtroom thriller demonstrates how a murder prosecution can be systematically unravelled through chain of custody failures and missing physical evidence. Raul Julia delivers a masterclass in trial advocacy as defence counsel Sandy Stern, methodically exposing compromised forensic samples, undisclosed police files and tainted investigatory procedures. Rather than swaying the jury with theatrical rhetoric, Stern secures a dismissal by proving the state failed to meet its basic burden of competent evidence.