juries

Question 1

how long does it usually take to complete jury service

Answer 1

2 weeks

Question 2

how many jurors are initially taken into the courtroom

Answer 2

12

Question 3

who the selects the first 12 names to vet

Answer 3

court clerk

Question 4

why might a jury be asked to leave the courtroom

Answer 4

so lawyers can debate the case without persuading the jury

Question 5

who summarises the facts of the case and explains the law to the jury

Answer 5

the judge

Question 6

who is the ‘foreman’

Answer 6

the person elected by the jury to stand up and speak

Question 7

what is a case where a judge fined a jury

Answer 7

bushell’s case- several jury members refused to convict the accused and the judge fined them and imprisoned them until they paid the fine

Question 8

case where the jury were threatened with imprisonment

Answer 8

mckenna- judge told the jury that if they did not reach a verdict within 10 minuted they would be imprisoned, the jury complied. the defendant’s conviction was later crossed because of this

Question 9

what are the circumstances when a jury will be used

Answer 9

in the crown court when a defendant pleads not guilty

Question 10

how many trials are heard by a jury every year in the uk

Answer 10

approx 30,000

Question 11

what is the jury’s main role in a criminal case

Answer 11

to decide whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty

Question 12

what percentage of criminal trials do juries account for

Answer 12

less than 1%

Question 13

what is the aim for a jury’s verdict

Answer 13

a unanimous verdict

Question 14

when will a majority verdict be accepted

Answer 14

after two hours and twelve minutes of the jury not being able to fully agree

Question 15

what is an extra power held by the judge

Answer 15

split functions- a judge has the power to direct the jury to acquit the defendant if he believes that the prosecution has not made a valid case against them

Question 16

what majority verdicts can be accepted

Answer 16

11-1

10-2

Question 17

what happens if the jury cannot meet a unanimous decision or a majority verdict

Answer 17

there is a hung jury- there will either be a retrial or the case will be closed

Question 18

how does a jury’s decision take place

Answer 18

in a private jury room where the decision making process is completely secret

Question 19

what is the act that established the qualifications required to sit on a jury

Answer 19

Jury Act 1974

Question 20

what are the three qualifications required by jury members outlines in the jury act 1974

Answer 20

18-75 age
must be a uk or isle of man residents for at least 5 years
must be registered on the electoral roll

Question 21

what are four circumstances where one will be disqualified from jury service for

Answer 21

1. life in prison sentence
2. extended prison sentence
3. prison sentence for public protection
4. prison sentence for over 5 years

Question 22

what are the three circumstances when one will be disqualified from jury service for 10 years

Answer 22

1. has served a prison sentence in the past 10 years
2. have served a suspended sentence in the past 10 years
3. has had a community order or community sentence in the past 10 years

Question 23

what type of person wont be allowed to sit on a jury

Answer 23

those will mental illnesses or psychopathic disorder recognised the in the criminal justice act 2003

Question 24

what three types of people are excused from jury service

Answer 24

1. members of the military forces are under no obligation to complete jury service
2. those with discretionary excusals
3. those who have a lack of capacity ie being blind so cant see evidence

Question 25

who is supriseingly still allowed to sit on a jury

Answer 25

judges, police, and lawyers- confirmed by the criminal justice act 1003. it is their choice whether they want to disclose their profession to the other jury members

Question 26

how are members of the public selected for jury service

Answer 26

names are selected at random by a computer off the electoral roll

Question 27

what are the five steps to vetting a jury

Answer 27

police checks- regular checks on prospective jurors
wider background checks- check on jurors background and political affiliations; this is only used when necessary
challenging the array
challenging a cause
prosecutions right to stand by

Question 28

describe challenging the array

Answer 28

where an entire jury is challenged for being unrepresentative or unfair. case of fraser- whole jury was white and defendant was of ethnic minority

Question 29

describe challenging a cause

Answer 29

challenges one jury members right to sit on the jury- ei they know the defendant or are disqualified.
case of wilson: jury member was the wife of a prison guard at Exeter prison where both defendants were on remand, she was not allowed on the jury. justice has to be done and also has to be seen to be done.

Question 30

describe the prosecution right to stand by

Answer 30

a potential jury member is kept spar in case they need to replace a practicing jury member. the prosecution does not need to give a reason to call for this but it is used sparingly.

Question 30

describe the prosecution right to stand by

Answer 30

a potential jury member is kept spar in case they need to replace a practicing jury member. the prosecution does not need to give a reason to call for this but it is used sparingly.

Question 31

what act made it a criminal offence to intentionally disclose or ask about what happens in a jury room

Answer 31

the criminal courts and justice act 2015