Jim Morrison and the Miami Trial Great Quality Rare Footage 1970

On March 1st, 1969 The Doors perform at the Miami Dinner Key Auditorium and Jim Morrison is later faced with numerous charges due to supposed incidents taking place during the show. Unaware of their future troubles with the law, Jim and The Doors board a plane the next day and head to Jamaica for a holiday. In the subsequent days while on vacation, Miami officials begin to issue warrants for Jim's arrest, and the media begins reporting the event nationwide. Jim Morrison returns to the U.S. only to learn that he is being charged with a felony and is now a wanted man in Florida.

On April 3rd, Jim turns himself in to authorities at the Los Angeles Federal Building after a second felony charge is laid against him for fleeing Miami. He waives extradition charges, and is eventually arrested on November 9th in Miami where he is released 20 minutes later on bond. All official documents pertaining to the trial and arrest indicate that Jim had a total of 4 charges laid against him - Lewd and Lascivious Behavior (a felony), Indecent Exposure, Open Profanity and Public Drunkeness.

On August 10th, 1970 the trial officially begins at the Dade County Courthouse as Case No. 69-2355 "State Of Florida vs. James Douglas Morrison". Max Fink is selected as Jim's defense lawyer for the case along with local attorney Robert Josefsberg. From August to October of 1970, details on Jim Morrison's trial are given national attention and the trial is looked upon as a farce by Jim, the band members, and legal attorneys on both sides of the case. Despite their opinions, Judge Murray Goodman is determined to make an example out of Jim for political and financial reasons, and all efforts are made to convict him. On September 20th, Jim is convicted with Open Profanity and Indecent Exposure, with the right to appeal, and given a 6 month prison sentence and $500 fine. He is released on bond pending his appeal, and states that he intends to appeal the case for as long as it takes. In February of 1971, Jim is residing in Paris where French law indicates that he cannot legally be extradited back to the U.S. to face the charges. He never returns from Paris.

In Memory of James Douglas Morrison