Role/Work of Juries [Juries] Flashcards
Intro [Paragraph 1]
[100 years/ 12/ CC for ICs and TEWs]
Jurors do not need to be legally qualified and will typically serve for 12 weeks in 1% of total cases.
Arbiter of Fact [Paragraph 2]
Juror’s basic role is to be arbiter of fact (decide on matters of fact), matters of law is up to judge.
Sworn in to role after selection and must promise to listen to the case and reach a fair verdict
Presentation of Evidence [Paragraph 3]
- sit in court and observe trial
- prosecution’s case is presented first (evidence in chief) and then the defence’s
- any witnesses presented can be cross-examined by the opposing side
Questions [Paragraph 4]
Jurors can put questions to the judge in writing.
They can take notes but cannot take any written material in or out of the court.
Summing Up [Paragraph 5]
The prosecution and defence will present their closing speeches and then judge will sum up the facts of the case and the law for the juror’s benefit.
Deliberation [Paragraph 6]
Retire to a private room to deliberate and reahc a verdict based solely on the information they heard in court.
The Juries Act 1974 sets out the law on verdicts.
- must strive to achieve unanimous verdict (12-0)
- if after 2 hours they have not reached a verdict, the judge can instruct that a majority verdict will be accepted (11-1, 10-2)
- about 20% of verdicts are majority
- if no majority reached, hung jury
Independent [Paragraph 7]
Jury is wholly independent and cannot be forced, pressured or hurried (Bushells Case).
All that is said in the juror’s deliberation room must be kept secret and if not, this is ‘contempt of court’ under s8 Contempt of Court Act 1981.
Foreman [Paragraph 8]
The jury foreman [selected by the jurors] will stnd up in court and read out the verdict.
No reasons need to be given.
Outro [Paragraph 9]
Once the jury has delivered their verdict, they are dismissed and they return to the waiting area and may be selected for a new trial.
