Thomas - Are Juries Fair?

• Are juries fair? YES

  • Right to a fair trial
  • Impartiality
  • Representation
  • Group dynamics
  • Democratic
• Are Juries fair? NO

  • Lack of legal knowledge
  • A few dominant individuals may sway opinion
  • Media influence
  • Open to prejudice
• Nottingham and Winchester crown court:

  41 all white juries (478 jurors) Replicating racially mixed study at Blackfriars crown court.
• Findings of Nottingham and Winchester study:

  • Did not discriminate against BME defendants
  • No tendency to convict a black or asian defendant more than a white one
  • Winchester = almost identical verdict for white and BME defendants.
• Findings of the Nottingham and Winchester study:

  • All white juries at Nottingham had difficulty reaching a verdict for a BME defendant or victim.
  • Suggests local population dynamics must play a role in jury decision making.