Jury

Jury

A jury is a sworn body of people (the jurors) convened to render an impartial verdict (a finding of fact on a question) officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Juries are typically found in legal systems that adhere to the common law—traditionally English-speaking jurisdictions.

History

The modern jury system evolved out of the medieval practice of trial by ordeal and trial by combat. In the 12th century, Henry II of England introduced a system of twelve free men, not related to either party, who were to declare the truth of the matter on oath. This was the origin of the modern jury in the Anglo-Saxon world.

Composition

A jury is traditionally composed of twelve people, though the exact number can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the seriousness of the crime. Jurors are selected from the community using a process called voir dire, which involves questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability.

Role

The role of the jury is to impartially review evidence and determine the facts of a case, while the judge determines the law. This division of labor provides a check on both the court and the government, as the jury can nullify laws it believes are unjust by refusing to convict, a practice known as jury nullification.

Criticism and Reform

While the jury system is a fundamental part of many legal systems, it has been subject to criticism. Critics argue that juries can be influenced by prejudice or emotion, that they may not understand complex evidence or legal issues, and that the process of selecting a jury can be manipulated by lawyers. Various reforms have been proposed, including professional juries, reducing the size of juries, and changing the rules for jury selection.

See also

• Grand jury
• Hung jury
• Jury duty
• Jury nullification
• Jury tampering
• Jury trial