NCJ Number
16468
Journal
Judicature Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: (JUNE-JULY 1973) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1973
Length
6 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF TWO STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF SIX MEMBER JURIES ON COURT TIME AND MANPOWER.
Abstract
ANALYSIS OF 147 CIVIL CASES TRIED IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IN 1971 SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO DIFFERENCE IN VOIR DIRE OF TRIAL TIME. THERE WAS ONLY A 12 TO 20 PER CENT DIFFERENCE IN OVERALL JUROR MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS. THE RESULTS OF A NEW JERSEY COURT STUDY OF SIX AND TWELVE MEMBER JURIES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THEY REVEALED THAT THE AVERAGE TIME OF CASES GOING TO VERDICT WAS ABOUT HALF AS MUCH WITH SIX JURORS AND THAT THE SMALLER JURIES RETURNED SMALLER AVERAGE VERDICTS IN CIVIL CASES. HOWEVER, THE EFFECTS OF CASE SIZE AND DEGREE OF COMPLICATION WERE NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.