#Exam 1- Juries Flashcards
how long have juries been used in the English legal system
over 1000 years
what do R v Mckenna and Bushell’s case show
The jury is sole decider in case outcome
what court are juries in
the crown court in criminal cases
what age must juries be
between 18-75
how are juries selected
electoral roll
how long must a jury have lived in the UK
5 years since 13th Birthday
who are permanently disqualified from sitting on a jury
if you have been imprisoned for life
imprisoned for public protection
serving an extended sentence
serving a sentence 5 years or under
who are banned for ten years for being on a jury
served a sentence of imprisonment
had a suspended sentence
had a community order
is on bail
what illness doesn’t allow for someone to be on a jury
deafness and blindness as a 13th juror isn’t allowed
what does criminal justice act 2003 schedule 1 state
that someone with mental illness or mental handicap can’t sit on a jury
who is given an excusal from jury service
members of the armed forces
which two groups of people were unable to sit on a jury
police officers and barristers (this was changed in the criminal justice act 2003)
what is a discretionary excusal
when someone can defer their jury service to another time due to an inconvenience such as illness, exams or being a new parent
what other factor may affect someones ability to not sit on a jury
inability to understand English
how is a jury selected
a computer selects names at random
summons to jury service sent to each person
anyone who can’t attend must give a reason
all must attend unless they have been excused
at court 12 are selected, can be challenged for good reason or be discharged
how are jurors vetted
police checks
wider background checks
who has the right to see the list of jurors
prosecution and the defence
what cases can look at the criminal background of jurors
any case is allowed - R V Mason shows this
what cases allow wider background checks
cases of national security
what are the attorney generals guidelines
a) vetting only done in exceptional cases: involving national security and terrorist cases
b) vetting only done with attorney general’s permission
how are jurors selected inside the court
split into groups of 15 and then 12 out of the 15 are selected to hear the trial
when can a jury be challenged
an individual juror can be challenged
the whole panel may be challenged for biased selection
why may an individual juror be challenged
for reasons such as knowing the defendant
what is “for cause”
challenging an individual juror
