3. Lay People: Juries

Question 1

What are the subsections of Qualification and Deferral of Juries?

Answer 1

-Intro
-Main Qualifications
-Mental Disordered
-Disqualification
-Deferral

Question 2

Explain Intro to Qualification and Deferral of Juries

Answer 2

-Jury Service lasts minimum two weeks, only sit in Crown Court, hear evidence and decide guilt.
-Jury is made up of 12 jurors, who must reach unanimous decision or at least majority verdict

Question 3

In which cases do Jurors hear?

Answer 3

Indictable and either way cases

Question 4

Explain the main qualifications of the Jury?

Answer 4

Set under the Juries Act 1974, stating that:
1. 18-75 years of age
2. Registered on the electoral role
3. Lived in UK for 5 years

Question 5

Explain the Mental Disordered subsection for Jury?

Answer 5

Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 if the selected juror is suffering from a mentall illness in hospital or receiving regular medical treatment, they won’t be juror
This is ecause the judge thinks they aren’t mentally capable

Question 6

Explain disqualification of Juries?

Answer 6

Set under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, following people are disqualified from service:
-On Bail
-A custodial or community sentence in the last ten years
-Permanent, disqualification for life or his Majesties Pleasure sentence

Question 7

Explain deferral of juries?

Answer 7

Set under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, an official excuse can defer jury service where the person can show they have a good reason:
1. Health problems/pregnancy
2. College or university
3. Bereavement
4. Booked Holiday
(Deferral only last for 12 months)

Question 8

Explain selectino of jurors…

Answer 8

-All member selected by random using electoral role, to ensure process is fair, representative and free from bias
-Section 11 of Juries Act states that each jury must be selected from a ballot in open court
-Jury in waiting is made up of 15 jurors that will be chosen at random to make up the jury of 12 to hear case

Question 9

Once the Jury has been selected anf sworn into trial, it’s possible that each jury member can be vetted to their suitability to hear the case, what are the different types of vetting?

Answer 9

-Vetting for the cause
-Vetting to the Array
-Vetting, Stand By for the Crown

Question 10

Explain Vetting for the Cause…

Answer 10

-Done under the Juries Act and is done by the defence council
-Juror can be challenged because they are biased and it affects their ability to be impartial

Question 11

Explain vetting to the Array…

Answer 11

-Done under the Juries Act and can be done by prosecution and defence council
-Juror is challenge because they were chosen in an unrepresentative or biased way

Question 12

Explain an example case for Vetting to the Array…

Answer 12

Romford Case: Jury was biased and unrepresentative because 9 of Jurors lived in Romford

Question 13

Explain Vetting, Stand By for the Crown