Juries advantages Flashcards
public confidence
trial by peers, representative of society and is democratic. A survey by law society shows 80% of people would rather have a jury over a judge or magistrate.
Jury equity
They decide verdict depending on what they think is morally right, don’t have to follow laws. R v Owen, jury sympathised, though he had already been punished enough, so found him not guilty despite overwhelming evidence.
secrecy
contempt of court act 1981 makes it a crime to share discussions. Research shows they take discussions seriously, showed by aquittal rate in crown court (60%) compared to magistrates court.
impartiality / no personal bias
not allowed to know anyone involved in the case. R v Wilson and Sprasen, was a wife of a prison officer overlooking D, so couldn’t be in the jury.
