Summary.
Show trials were made to show the power of the courts. Coming into a show trial one didn't expect to win.
Show Trials and Great Purges
- Highly public trial
- Strong connotation that the judges have already determined the guilt of the defendant
- Trial really only for displaying the power of the court
- Show cases are more retributive rather than correctional justice
- Defendants have little or no opportunity to justify themselves
- Those held in Show Trials have often signed statements or undergone torture prior to the trial