Serving on a jury gives people insight into the justice system and their own communities , and corrects misapprehensions about what takes place in a courtroom. ... judge your guilt or innocence. In a civil case, a jury of citizens will determine community standards and expectations in accordance with the law.
Why is it important to have citizens serve on juries?
It is important that citizens serve on juries and testify in courts because the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to a trial by jury of their peers . For our system of justice to function, citizens must fulfill their duty to serve on juries and appear as witnesses.
Why should juries be used?
Juries in criminal cases are used to decide the guilt or innocence of the defendant . Juries are used in civil cases to decide the liability and on the damages for the following cases; deformation, malicious prosecution, fraud and false imprisonment. ... The use of a jury is viewed as making the legal system more open.
Why do juries work best?
Juries , because they do not give reasons for their decisions, can bring the conscience of the community to bear on issues in a trial in a way that a judge cannot do. ... Trial by jury is and is seen to be a system better adapted than any other to preserving the liberty of the subject against oppression by the State.
Do we need juries?
Jury service is compulsory, but under the Jury Act, certain people are disqualified from serving on a jury , including those who: have served a prison sentence within the last ten years.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of juries?
- Public Confidence – fundimentals of a democratic society.
- Jury equity- decide on fairness and not the word of law.
- Open system of justice.
- Lawyers explain things clearly so that the general public can understand and follow the proceeding.
How often are juries wrong?
26 to 50 percent of the time . 51 to 75 percent of the time . More than 75 percent of the time.
Can a judge overrule a jury?
A judgment notwithstanding the verdict (or JNOV) is an order by a judge after a jury has returned its verdict. The judge can overturn the jury’s verdict if he or she feels it cannot reasonably be supported by the evidence or if it contradicts itself.
Why can’t jurors talk about the case?
Courts don’t want outside information or opinion about a case to influence jurors; cases are supposed to be decided on the facts as presented at trial, not on potentially unreliable, uninformed, and unchallenged information coming from elsewhere.
Are juries good?
People who serve on juries have a greater respect for the system when they leave. Serving on a jury gives people insight into the justice system and their own communities, and corrects misapprehensions about what takes place in a courtroom. ... Jury trials provide a method of peaceful dispute resolution.
What’s the point of a judge if there’s a jury?
In cases with a jury, the judge is responsible for insuring that the law is followed , and the jury determines the facts. In cases without a jury, the judge also is the finder of fact. A judge is an elected or appointed official who conducts court proceedings.
Who picks the jury?
At the start of a trial, the court clerk will ask the defendant if they’re ready for trial. If they are ready, the clerk randomly selects jury panel numbers. When a panel number is called, the juror goes to the jury box.
Why are jurors exempted from jury service?
In terms of the Jury Amendment Act 2010, you may have ‘good cause’ to be excused if: jury service would cause undue hardship or serious inconvenience to you or your family. you have a disability that makes you unsuitable or incapable of effectively serving as a juror, without reasonable accommodation.
Are juries fair report?
The study found little evidence that juries are not fair . ... The study also demonstrates that section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 does not prevent comprehensive research about how juries reach their verdicts and that research from other jurisdictions should not be relied upon to understand juries in this country.
What are the disadvantages of jury?
As the people on a jury do not generally have a legal background , it is possible that they may not entirely understand complex legal documents or argument, or in-depth forensic evidence. Every juror will also have their own personal biases, and this can affect their decision-making.
What is a disadvantage of having a grand jury?
One major disadvantage is that the grand jury process can encourage pleas and other decisions that may be unnecessary . ... Grand juries do not determine guilt or innocence; they determine, once again based upon the evidence presented, whether a case should go to trial.
