NCJ Number
143583
Editor(s)
D Challinger
Date Published
1986
Length
276 pages
Annotation
Participants at a 1986 conference sponsored by the Australian Institute of Criminology considered the role and tasks of the jury in Australia's criminal justice system.
Abstract
Conference presentations dealt with trial by jury, the political significance of juries, public attitudes toward juries, media responsibility in the conduct of fair trials, jury persuasion, and psychological aspects of the environment in which juries operate. Other presentations focused on prosecutorial functions and behavior, jury reform, jury instructions, juror reminiscences, the presentation of scientific evidence in court, expert evidence, forensic standards, and jury performance in complex cases. Particular attention was paid to the difficulties jurors face due to their unfamiliarity with legal procedures, judicial control of jury activities, community support for juries, juror biases and prejudices, and jury representativeness.