Read the Law and Ethics scenario in the section 13.3 of the text.

Should Former President Clinton Have Been Criminally Prosecuted for Perjury and Obstruction of Justice? Is it ethical to allow the president to avoid a criminal prosecution for perjury and obstruction of justice while he is in office? Why or why not?

In a minimum 500-word essay address the above prompt.

Should Former President Clinton Have Been Criminally Prosecuted for Perjury and Obstruction of Justice?
On May 6, 1994, Paula Jones filed a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment against then-president Bill Clinton. The
US Supreme Court ruled that the president was not immune to this lawsuit, allowing it to continue (Clinton v. Jones,
2011). An investigation pursuant to the Jones lawsuit revealed that the president was currently having an affair with
a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky (Historyplace.com website, 2011). During a Jones lawsuit deposition, the
president stated under oath that he did not have sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky pursuant to the definition of sexual
relations given by the questioning attorneys (Deposition excerpts, 2011). He also stated that he could not recall ever
being alone with Lewinsky at the White House (Deposition excerpts, 2011). After the deposition, he was involved in
an effort to get Ms. Lewinsky a federal job outside Washington, DC (Historyplace.com, 2011). Although the Jones
lawsuit was dismissed, the president was evasive when asked questions regarding the Lewinsky affair during a grand
jury investigation instigated by Prosecutor and former Solicitor General Kenneth Starr. The evening of the grand jury
investigation, the president appeared on national TV and admitted, “Indeed, I did have a relationship with Ms. Lewinsky
that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my
part for which I am solely and completely responsible” (Historyplace.com, 2011). The House of Representatives later
impeached Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice, based on the statements he made at the grand jury investigation
and his conduct during the Jones deposition. After a trial in the Senate, he was acquitted of both counts and thereafter
served out his term as president (Historyplace.com, 2011). He was never criminally prosecuted for perjury or obstruction
of justice outside the impeachment procedure, although he was later disbarred for his behavior (Gearan, A., 2011).
1. Is it ethical to allow the president to avoid a criminal prosecution for perjury and obstruction of justice
while he is in office? Why or why not?
Check your answer using the answer key at the end of the chapter.
Clinton Declaration and Admission Videos
Clinton: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman…”
In this video, President Clinton denies that he had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky:
” href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs” class=”replaced-iframe” onclick=”return
replaceIframe(this)”>(click to see video)
President Clinton Apologizes to the Nation
In this video, President Clinton admits that he had an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky:
” href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r4e5Wg4PDI” class=”replaced-iframe” onclick=”return
replaceIframe(this)”>(click to see video)