Juries

Question 1

What is the role of the jury?

Answer 1

• Consider key evidence presented by the prosecution and defence
  -Make notes and ask questions
• Listen to the closing speeches presented by the advocates and summing up to the judge
• Jury equity- they have to make decisions based of the facts of the law instead of a moral decision
  -Jury secrecy- discussions take place in private conditions
  -If any information about the jury deliberations is made public the case could go to appeal and a retrial could be ordered

Question 2

What is the selection process for the juries?

Answer 2

• Juries must be aged between 18 and 75 years, be registered to vote in the uk and be a resident in the uk for at least 5 years since age 13
• You will be disqualified if you have had a 5 years plus imprisonment or been on bail.
• Names will be selected from the electoral register
• All potential members of the jury will be vetted via a DBS check
• Juries may be challenged as a whole panel for any bias
• The juries can be individually challenged for cause
• The prosecution may stand by any juror