Civil Juries

Question 1

What are Mathematical Models?

Answer 1

Jurors are assumed to use a sort of mental meter that moves toward wither a guilty or not guilty verdict based on the weight of the evidence.

Trial evidence is represented as numerical weights that shift the mental meter.

Question 2

What are Story Models?

Answer 2

Jurors create stories to make sense of the evidence presented at trial.

Question 3

What is the impact of inadmissible evidence presented to jurors?

Answer 3

Jurors cannot be forced to disregard what they have heard.

Question 4

What is the impact of black jurors?

Answer 4

The presence of black jurors is especially important when the defendant is black; race is more salient, and white jurors process evidence more carefully.

Question 5

What are strong jurors?

Answer 5

Jurors who seem likely to have disproportionate influence over the deliberation process; usually well educated, articulate, and have some high occupational status.

Question 7

What are the stages of deliberation?

Answer 7

1. Orientation: elect foreperson, discuss procedures, raise general issues
2. Open conflict: differences in opinion among members of the jury become apparent and coalitions between members are formed
3. Reconciliation: jurors reach a common understanding and agreement

Question 8

What are non-unanimous juries? What are the pros and cons?

Answer 8

Juries that can convict or acquit a defendant without all jurors agreeing.

Save time bu at the cost of a less thorough evaluation of evidence

Question 9

What is jury nullification?

Answer 9

Jury nullification occurs when a jury returns a “not guilty” verdict even though they believe the defendant is guilty under the law.

This happens because jurors decide that the law itself is unjust, the punishment is too harsh, or applying the law in that particular case would be unfair.

Question 10

What is important about Pena Rodriguez v Colorado?

Answer 10

U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment requires an exception to the traditional “no-impeachment” rule when there is evidence that racial bias influenced a jury’s verdict.

Normally, courts cannot consider evidence about what happened during jury deliberations (the “no-impeachment” rule), but the Supreme Court held that, when a juror’s clear racial bias may have affected the verdict, courts must be allowed to investigate and consider that evidence to protect the defendant’s right to an impartial jury.

Question 11

What is the comparison of civil jury’s verdict and the judge’s hypothetical verdict?

Answer 11

Judge and jury agreed on verdict in 78% of the civil jury trials.

Question 12

What are the benefits of civil juries to resolve disputes?

Answer 12

1. Transparent and public resolution of legal disputes
2. Fact finding advantages drawn from a representative cross-section of the community
3. The opportunity to educate citizens
4. Citizen civil engagement