NCJ Number
48651
Editor(s)
M WILSON
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS TWO-PART FILMSTRIP AND CASSETTE PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR JUNIOR HIGH OR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PROVIDES A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE AMERICAN JURY SYSTEM.
Abstract
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE JURY SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS PRESENTED, SHOWING THE SYSTEM'S EVOLUTION FROM BRITISH COMMON LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF JURIES. THE UNITED STATES COURT SYSTEM HAS TWO TYPES OF JURIES--PETIT, OR TRIAL, JURIES AND GRAND JURIES. A GRAND JURY, CONSISTING OF 23 MEMBERS IN MOST STATES, MAKES THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO INDICT A PERSON AND HAS INVESTIGATIVE POWERS IN SOME CASES; A PETIT JURY IS A FACT-FINDING BODY WHICH HEARS BOTH SIDES OF A CASE AND THEN MAKES A DECISION ON GUILT OR INNOCENCE. ANY REGISTERED VOTER CAN BE CALLED FOR JURY DUTY BY THE LOCAL COURT SYSTEM. POTENTIAL JURORS ARE QUESTIONED BY THE COURT AND THE ATTORNEY OF THE CASE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WOULD BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL. THE JURY WILL HEAR THE ENTIRE CASE AND THEN MEET IN PRIVATE TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT IT. THE MAJOR CRITICISM OF GRAND JURIES IS THAT THEY ARE ONE-SIDED BECAUSE ONLY PROSECUTORS, AND NOT JUDGES AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, ARE INCLUDED IN THESE HEARINGS. SOME CRITICS OF THE JURY SYSTEM WANT TO IMPROVE IT BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF JURORS OR BY USING ARBITRATION WHERE POSSIBLE, BUT NEARLY ALL OF THOSE INVOLVED WANT THE SYSTEM TO REMAIN THE SAME. MANY PEOPLE FEEL THAT JURIES SAFEGUARD AGAINST ABUSES BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS. THEY ESTABLISH A BALANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED AND THE RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE SYSTEM IS VERY EFFECTIVE AND REMARKABLY FAIR AS IT STANDS NOW. (BAC)