juries

Question 1

how is a jury selected?

Answer 1

computer selection at a central office.

Question 2

once the list of potential jurors is known, what must they go through?

Answer 2

vetting

Question 3

what are the two types of vetting?

Answer 3

• police checks
• wider background check

Question 4

what is the role of a jury?

Answer 4

hears the case and must decide whether the defendant is guilty or not. the judge can help direct them to come to a decision.

Question 5

what is a majority verdict?

Answer 5

must try for a unanimous vote but if not possible a majority verdict of 10:2 or 11:1 can be accepted.

Question 6

what are advantages of the jury?

Answer 6

• jury equity: do not have to give reasons for their decision so their verdict is based off their idea of fairness.
• secrecy of the jury room: the jury is free of pressure in its discussion and are protected from outside influences so can bring unpopular verdicts.

Question 7

disadvantages of the jury?

Answer 7

• media influence: media coverage may influence the jurors where there has been a lot of publicity. for example, r v taylor and taylor
• jury tampering: friends of the defendant might try to interfere with the jury by either bribing jury members to bring in a not guilty verdict or making threats against the jury.