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The Jury System

The jury system is one in which a group of laypersons deliberate a case brought to trial in total secrecy, arrive at a unanimous decision, and present their verdict. This system is commonly in practice in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Jury trials have been held in high regard for their role in ensuring fairness to defendants. Such was their impact that famous American statesman Thomas Jefferson remarked “Jury trial was the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which government can be held to the principles of its constitution”. “[n]othing can be a greater security for life, liberty, and property than the jury system” said renowned economist Adam Smith.

Trial before a jury is believed to be by far less influenced by bias than the one before individual judge. When jurors from different economic and social statuses discuss and debate a case, individual biases get considerably toned down. Studies show that in the United Kingdom, defendants opt for jury trial instead of the one before individual judge. They hold a strong belief that jury trials will not be blighted by bias. Further, a study by Professor Samuel Sommers at Tufts University reported that racially diverse jurors raised a wider range of questions and made few factual errors. Additionally, these jurors were willing to deliberate on uncomfortable and contentious issues related to race.

Another significant aspect of a jury trial is its sustained deliberations until unanimity is achieved. This makes certain that every argument is deliberated to do justice to both prosecutor and defendant. Also, this assures those who have been accused based on circumstantial evidence that the trial will be comprehensive and objective. Research has found that in order to achieve unanimity, the jurors deliberate longer, which might otherwise not happen. This was evidenced in a case involving former chairman of Cendant Corporation. The government was able to win a fraud conviction in the third jury trial after the previous two ended in a deadlock.

In conclusion, it is evident that the jury system ensures that defendants are not unreasonably punished because of prejudice and unbalanced trial. And, as for the laypersons who serve as jurors, the process of taking part in deliberations helps them inculcate the values of diligence, harmonious conflict resolution, and impartiality.

(In the beginning, I have mentioned what jury system is because my readers are high school students and those who have just joined universities. I think they are not much aware of the jury system)