Ad Dis Juries

Question 1

Public confidence in system

Answer 1

To be tried by normal non legally qualified people is seen as democratic. Lord devlin - the lamp that shows freedom lives

The tradition of trial by jury is very old and people seem to have confidence in the impatiality and fairness of jury trial

Question 2

Juries don’t follow previous decision follow acts of parliament

Answer 2

Have freedom in decision making and often decides cases of what is fair or just.

Right and fair decision was reached in pointing case. Civil servant charged for leaking government doc. Jury refused to convict as he did it for a good reason.

Question 3

Jury bias

Answer 3

Even though there are 12 members of a jury. Prejudice can still affect overall decision. Some are biased against police.

Media coverage may also influnce jurors especially in high profiles cases.

Question 4

Perverse decision are reached as a result of jury equity

Answer 4

As jury can ignore evidence this can result in poor decisions. There are doubts regarding approx 5% of decision reached by juries

For example, R V Kronlid the evidence was clear yet the jury aqcuitted the D