Law Juries - Role of Juries

Introduction - 1

Unqualified volunteers

Sit as a bench of 12

Issue guilt or innocence of the defendant

Required to be arbiters of fact - Decide matters of fact and leave legal matters for the judge to decide

Juries are used in 1% of criminal cases

Must be sworn in promise and listen to the case carefully and provide a fair verdict

Role in court - 2

Hear evidence made by prosecution and defence

Make notes and if they have any questions they will ask through the judge

Hear cross examination of witness and closing and opening statements from prosecution and defence.

Role outside court - 3

1) Retire to a private room where they must deliberate and come to a decision

2) A foreman is selected by jurors and will lead discussions

3) They can't base their verdicts on the media, if the case was high profile.

4) Juries can't be influenced, rushed or hurried as seen in the Bushell's case 1670

They must come to a unanimous decision on guilt or innocence, which means all 12 must agree on the verdict

Delivering the verdict - 4

The jury would return, and the foreman will deliver the verdict. They do not have to give a reason for their verdict