Sydney, Dec 7 (The Conversation) The story lines of every episode of legal TV dramas, from Law & Order to Perry Mason, revolve around five key narrative moments: the crime, the arrest, the plea, the verdict, and the offender’s emotional response to what they’ve done.

While the verdict provides the audience with its emotional pay-off, it’s the fifth moment that determines how they will remember the character. Did they apologise and seek forgiveness, or did they refuse to accept responsibility? Or worse still, appear to revel in the chaos they had caused? This American pop culture illustration reflects a larger truth. The courts, the media and the public are all watching for the same thing: whether the accused is genuinely sorry. Are they remorseful? The legalities of remorse --------------

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