Why is it important to be judged by a jury of your peers?

The purpose of this provision is to ensure that a jury’s verdict is not tainted by biases that jurors may harbor before being presented with the evidence of the particular case. Readily recognized biases include gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, etc.

Where did jury of your peers come from?

The phrase “a jury of peers” dates back to the signing of the Magna Carta in England. At that point, the provision ensured that members of the nobility were tried by a jury comprised of fellow nobles, rather than being judged by the king. Now, however, this phrase more accurately means “a jury of fellow citizens.”

What does it mean to be tried by a jury of one’s peers?

: a jury whose members are from the same community as the person on trial.

How was a jury normally chosen?

The group of potential jurors (the “jury pool”, also known as the venire) is first selected from among the community using a reasonably random method. Jury lists are compiled from voter registrations and driver license or ID renewals. The prospective jurors are randomly selected to sit in the jury box.

Why was the right to a jury trial so important to the founders?

After years of widespread abuse by courts stacked with King George’s cronies, our Founders established the right to a jury trial. The colonists wanted to ensure that members of their community would be responsible for safeguarding their liberty and rights.

Is a jury supposed to be your peers?

n. a guaranteed right of criminal defendants, in which “peer” means an “equal.” This has been interpreted by courts to mean that the available jurors include a broad spectrum of the population, particularly of race, national origin and gender.

Who is considered your peer in the jury system?

Instead, a jury of your peers means that the members of your jury are members of the community around you. They are representative of the area where you live. They might not be the same gender, race or religion. They may not be close to you in age.

Is a jury a true cross section of the community?

considerable time and therefore money; is inconvenient for those called upon to serve; juries lack individual responsibility; they tend to be swayed by personal or public prejudices; and they do not represent a true cross-section of the community.

Is a jury made up of peers?

One of your rights when you go to trial for a criminal offense is that you get to have a jury of your peers. They are the ones who hear the case and then decide if they think you are guilty or not. That case does not mean that the age, race or gender of the jurors has to be the same as the person on trial.

How are members of juries chosen for criminal trials quizlet?

Juries are chosen in a process that combines random selection with deliberate choice. Jury selection occurs in three stages; compiling a master list, summoning the venire and, conducting voir dire.

What is the role of the jury?

In both civil and criminal cases, it is the jury’s duty to decide the facts in accordance with the principles of law laid down in the judge’s charge to the jury. The decision is made on the evidence introduced, and the jury’s decision on the facts is usually final.

What is the meaning of a jury of peers?

The phrase “a jury of peers” dates back to the signing of the Magna Carta in England. At that point, the provision ensured that members of the nobility were tried by a jury comprised of fellow nobles, rather than being judged by the king. Now, however, this phrase more accurately means “a jury of fellow citizens.”

What is a jury of fellow citizens?

Now, however, this phrase more accurately means “a jury of fellow citizens.” While courts don’t have to ensure that a defendant’s race, gender, or age group is represented in the jury pool, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that courts may not remove a potential juror based solely on their race or gender.

What does the constitution say about juries?

The Constitution addresses juries in just three places: Article II provides that “ the trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury ”, the 6 th Amendment provides for jury trials in criminal cases, and the 7 th Amendment preserves the right to a jury in a civil trial with damages above a minimum value.

Should a jury be a sampling of the community?

That a jury should be a sampling of the community is best demonstrated by how it may not be limited. This goes back to the concept that litigants have the right to be judged by a jury using nondiscriminatory criteria and processes, something that cannot occur if there is systematic exclusion of groups that make up a community’s population.