The jury

The jury … a long history within the English legal system, although its role … significantly … during the time. Originally, members of the jury … witnesses, summoned for their local knowledge. Today, they … a group of twelve ordinary people with no special knowledge, chosen at random as impartial judges. In a jury trial, the jury … by the judge of the relevant law; its function then … the law to the facts and then, in criminal cases, … whether the defendant guilty or not guilty and, in civil cases, … whether the defendant … liable to the plaintiff. The decision of a jury is a verdict. In civil cases the jury also … on the amount of damages to the plaintiff.

Although the jury … much symbolic importance in the English legal system, in practice its role … greatly over the years.

1. Who were members of the jury originally?

2. Who are they now?

3. What is the function of the jury?

4. How has the jury changed during the time?

Act out the roles below based on the following dialogue.

Dialogue

Attorney: Your Honor, I don’t believe that Number four should sit for this trial.

Judge: For what reason?

Attorney: One of his answers to my questions. He believes that young people are more likely to commit crimes these days.

Judge: And you’re worried that he will be unfair toward the defendant?

Attorney: Yes. My client is only seventeen years old.

Judge: The argument has a point. We’ll release him.

Attorney: Thank you, Your Honor.

Judge: We’ll continue the trial after the clerk of the court calls in another

juror.

Use language such as: Your Honor, I don’t believe that … He believes that … My client is only …
Student A: You are a defense attorney. You see a problem with a juror. Talk to Student B about: the juror a question and answer your client	Student B: You are a judge. Talk to Student A about a juror and make a decision.

Give a written translation of the text.

Jury service – an important job and experience

The right to trial by a jury of our fellow citizens is one of our most important rights and is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Your job as a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented at trial and to decide what really happened. The judge, on the other hand, makes decisions on legal issues that come up during the trial. For example, the judge decides whether you and the other jurors may hear certain evidence or whether one lawyer may ask a witness a certain question. You should not try to decide these legal issues, sometimes you will even be asked to leave the courtroom while they are being decided. In order to do your job well you do not need any special knowledge or ability. It is enough that you keep an open mind, concentrate on the evidence being presented, use your common sense, and be fair and honest. Finally, you should not be influenced by sympathy or prejudice: it is vital that you be impartial with regard to all people and all ideas.

1. Make up a short annotation of the text (1-3 sentences).