Juries

Question 1

When and where are juries used?

Answer 1

In the Crown Court for cases when the defendant pleads not guilty.

Question 2

What act decided rules concerning juries ?

Answer 2

The Juries Act 1974- juries hear either indictable or triable either way cases.

Question 3

What are the main aims and roles of the jury?

Answer 3

• To decide on verdict
• Hear and evaluate points and facts for the given case.
• To come to a unanimous decision, rarely a majority decision is accepted.

Question 4

What happens if there is insufficient evidence?

Answer 4

The judge directs the jury to find the defendant not guilty, this is known as a ‘Directed Acquittal’

Question 5

What does the Contempt of Court Act 1981 state?

Answer 5

That anything discussed among the jurors involving the case cannot be disclosed outside the private room.

Question 6

What are the three main qualifications to be a juror and what act are they outlined in?

Answer 6

• Outlined in the CJA 2003
• Aged between 18-75
  -Registered on the electoral register
  -Lived in the UK for 5years since 13th birthday.

Question 7

Why would a juror be disqualified?

Answer 7

Permanently disqualified;
-5+ years in prison
-Life imprisonment
-Public protection

10 year disqualification;
-Served a prison sentence below 5yrs
-Suspended sentence
-Community Order
-On bail

Question 8

Why would a juror be ineligible?

Answer 8

-People with mental illnesses
-Lacking capacity (blind, deaf, EAL)

Question 9

Why would a juror be excused?

Answer 9

Armed forces may be excused

Question 10

What are some discretionary excuses?

Answer 10

-Mother with new baby
-Pre booked holidays
-Those with exams

Question 11

What’s the selection process for jurors?

Answer 11

Selected at random, normally only serve 12 weeks on the jury.

Question 12

What are the two types of vetting that takes place to make sure the jurors are suitable ?

Answer 12

-DBS checks; check for crim convictions.
-Authorised Jury Checks; Wider background check and political affiliations.

Question 13

What does it mean to challenge a juror?

Answer 13

The prosecution and defence can object to particular jurors.

Question 14

What is it to challenge to the array?

Answer 14

When the whole jury can be objected too if it was chose in an unrepresentative way.

Question 15

What is the Romford Case and what Challenge does it apply too?

Answer 15

-9/12 jurors came from Romford with two living on the same street, this is biased as they were more likely to have the same opinions, come from the same area.
-Challenging to the Array

Question 16

What does it mean to Challenge for Cause?

Answer 16

-Challenging an individual juror with valid reason like being known to someone in the case.

Question 17

What is the case for Challenging for Cause?

Answer 17

R v Wilson and Sprason; Wife of prison officer was chosen for jury service, both defendants were in the prison where her husband worked.

Question 18

What is Prosecution Right to Stand By?

Answer 18

• Can only be done by the prosecution
  -Put a certain juror at the back of the list so they are less likely to be chosen.
  -They don’t need to give a reason for this.