role of jury

• Where is the only time when juries are used?

  In the Crown Court for cases where the defendant pleads not guilty.
• In how many cases a year are juries used in trials?

  30,000
• What is the difference between the role of the judge and the jury in a jury trial?

  The judge decides the points of law and the jury decides the fact.
• What does the judge have the power to do to the jury at the end of the case?

  To direct the jury to acquit the defendant.
• When may the judge decide to direct the jury to a direct acquittal?

  If they decide that the prosecution's evidence has not made out a case against the defendant.
• What will a judge always do at the end of a jury trial?

  The judge will sum up the case at the end to the jury and direct it on any law involved.
• What does the jury do once the judge has directed it on any law involved?

  The jury retire to a private room and makes the decision on the guilt or innocence of the defendant in secret.
• What do the jury do in and after their deliberation in the private room?

  Initially, the jury must try to come to a unanimous verdict and the judge must accept the jury verdict, even if they don't agree with it.
• Which case does the principle that judges must accept the jury's verdict even if they don't agree with it link to?

  Bushell's Case (1670): the jury doesn't give reasons for its decision.
• After how many hours can the judge accept a majority verdict even the jury haven't reached a unanimous one?

  At least 2 hours (longer for several defendants).
• What happens if the jury haven't reached a unanimous verdict for at least 2 hours?

  The judge can call it back into the courtroom and direct it that they can now accept a majority verdict.
• Since when have majority verdicts been allowed?

  1967
• When there is a full jury of 12, what can the majority verdict be?

  11:1 or 10:2 for either guilty or not-guilty.
• How does the majority verdict change if the jury drops below 12?

  Only one juror can disagree with the verdict.
• What is the lowest number allowed in a jury?

  9
• What happens to the majority verdict if there are only 9 jurors?

  The verdict must be unanimous.
• Regarding the jury, what can there be no inquiry into?

  How the jury reached its verdict.
• Which Act made it a crime to intentionally obtain, disclose, or solicit any particular statements made, opinions expressed, arguments advanced, or votes cast by jurors?

  The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
• The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 made what a crime?

  Trying to intentionally obtain, disclose, or solicit any particular statements made, opinions expressed, arguments advanced, or votes cast by jurors in the course of their deliberations in any legal proceedings.