advantages and disadvantages of using juries in criminal courts

Question 1

first advantage

Answer 1

trial by your peers,
‘no freeman shall be…imprisoned … except by the lawful judgement of his peers”
-this means it would reduce the possibility of corruption because there are many jurors not just one person making the verdict

Question 2

second advantage

Answer 2

• a jury verdict appears to be a fair verdict
• juries represent a cross-section of the community because the people who make the jury are from different backgrounds, so a healthy exchange of views before reaching a verdict is done

Question 3

third advantage

Answer 3

-because ordinary members of public are reaching a verdict, a discipline is imposed on the prosecution. so, they can use a route to verdict document as a guideline (so they would know how to proceed)

Question 4

fourth advantage

Answer 4

they don’t need to give reasons for their decision and are protected by secrecy of jury deliberating room
-Bushells case 1670, judge must accept the verdict

Question 5

first disadvantage

Answer 5

• verdict from jury can be unpredictable
• you aren’t allowed to use outside influences, R v Young used a ouija boards to contact a dead victim to get info about his killing

Question 6

second disadvantage

Answer 6

• when cases receive a lot of media attention, the jury may be influenced by what they have seen so MIGHT NOT REACH A VERDICT BASED ON EVIDENCE
• eg, 13 days after the discovery, two missing girls- Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman- were extensively reported in the media

Question 7

third disadvantage

Answer 7

the jury may not have the understanding to reach a verdict, eg, when Vicky Pryce took points from her partner to avoid them getting disqualified

Question 8

fourth disadvantage

Answer 8

verdict from jury can be unpredictable made for moral reasons
- eg, General Belgrano sailed away when ship was being bombed whereas government said he was a threat