The Law of the Federation: Images of Law, Lawyers, and the Legal System in Star Trek, the Next Generation
![handle is hein.journals/utol24 and id is 53 raw text is: THE LAW OF THE FEDERATION: IMAGES OF LAW, LAWYERS,
AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN STAR TREK. THE NEXT
GENERATION
Paul Joseph and Sharon Carton*
I. INTRODUCTION
D URING the last twenty-five years, Star Trek and its progeny have
come to occupy a unique place in American popular culture.' While
the show began as a short-lived and marginally rated television series
which survived only three seasons before final cancellation,2 the Star Trek
phenomenon did not end there. First, through syndication, the show
gained a following it had never had as a network offering. Star Trek
conventions provided gathering points for the faithful. A series of feature
films updated and continued the story 3 Books,4 a cartoon series and
@ 1992 by Paul Joseph and Sharon Carton. All rights reserved.
* The authors, who are Professors at the Shepard Broad Law Center of Nova
University, would like to thank Co-Executive Producer Jen Taylor, Production Associate
Tern Martinez, Mr. L.H. Joseph, Jr., Professor Michael Richmond and student research
assistants Richard DeBoest and Shelley Zabel for their assistance. Star Trek, Star Trek:
The Next Generation, and U.S.S. Enterprise are Registered Trademarks of Paramount
Pictures Corporation.
1. [A]fter a quarter century, Star Trek has become a permanent fixture in America's
cultural landscape. Charles Paikert, After 25 Years, Still Cruising at Warp Speed,
VAUETY, Dec. 2, 1991, at 49 [hereinafter Warp Speed]. In another article in the same
issue, Paikert called Star Trek a cultural icon. Charles Paikert, Gene Roddenberry:
American Mythmaker, VAIUETY, Dec. 2, 1991, at 49, 62 [hereinafter Mythmaker].
2. Only massive letter-writing campaigns saved the show from earlier cancellation.
3. All but one of the films made money in theatrical release. A brisk video rental
market exists. 'We've sold about 10 million units, and our numbers have been remarkably
steady over the years,' says Alan Perper, senior VP of marketing for Paramount's video
division. 'Our core audience has grown. Each new film and the new TV show build a
connection; they inspire people to go back.' Stuart Miller, No Skid on Homevid for
First Four Flicks, VARITY, Dec. 2, 1991, at 56.
4. In 25 years, the saga has spawned well over 100 titles and over 30 million copies
in print. And interest in the books is peaking. In 1991 alone, Simon & Schuster's
Pocket Books division, a unit of Paramount Communications and the sole publishers
of Star Trek books since 1979, has sold about four million copies of old and new
titles.
When they first appeared in 1988, the Next Generation titles sold less well than
books based on the original series. But now, with five million copies in print,
the Next titles are just as popular.
William Stevenson, Fans Devour Books with Trek Hook, VARETY, Dec. 2, 1991, at 52.](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/utol24&div=9&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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The Law of the Federation: Images of Law, Lawyers, and the Legal System in Star Trek, the Next Generation
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