1.3.5 role of jury in criminal trial
Cards (8)
- jury
- used in the county/ supreme court
- used to determine guilt of offender charged with indictable offence
- not used in Magistrates court, for appeals or when an offender has pleaded guilty
- do not determine sanction
- jury selection
- 12 jurors
- those enrolled to vote are qualified and liable to be apart of a jury
- rules for who can be selected a jury
- previous history
- ineligible
- excused
- jury role
- listen to evidence
- concentrate during trial
- determine guilt
- jury role
- most return a unanimous verdict (12/12)
- if unanimous verdict is impossible, judge may allow major verdict (11/12)
- majority verdict not allowed for serious indictable offences
- juries in criminal trial
- jury does not give reasons for verdict
- during trial jurors are not allowed to make enquiries about related issues
- strengths of jury system
- jurors are independent and impartial - ensuring equality and fairness in their decision is acheived
- weaknesses of jury system
- jurors do not give reasons for their decisions - some may question whether the decisions has been made based on the facts and evidence