Juries

Question 1

Bushell’s case:

Answer 1

1670

Question 2

Qualifications:

Answer 2

Aged between 18 and 75
Registered as a parliamentary or local government elector
Resident in the U.K. for 5 years since 13

Question 3

Disqualifications: life:

Answer 3

Imprisonment / detention for life,

Detention at her majesty’s pleasure

Question 4

Disqualifications: 10 years:

Answer 4

Custodial sentence less than 5 years etc

Question 5

Mentally disordered person / ‘lack of capacity’

Answer 5

Language: need to understand what’s being said
Blind: registered as blind
Deaf: registered as deaf

Question 6

Excusable by right and discretionary:

Answer 6

Armed forces / forces
Doctors / nurses / medical staff
Emergency / public services
Exams

Question 7

Random:

Answer 7

Random from the electoral register by computer

Summoned 15, only need 12

Question 8

Role of jury:

Answer 8

Decide if defendant is guilty or not guilty (crown court)

Retire to a secret room and decide on the acquittal or conviction

Question 9

Advantages of jury trial:

Answer 9

Public confidence: the jury is considered one of the fundamentals of a democratic society
Jury equity: not bound to follow the precident of past cases or even acts of parliament
Don’t have to give reason for their verdict

Question 10

Disadvantages of jury trial:

Answer 10

Perverse decisions: ignores evidence and gives a wrong decision
Secrecy: they don’t know if the jury understand the case because they don’t have to give a reason for their verdict