Death penalty juries?

[Flip]

And when you find someone that fits all of the above - you may wish to capture a White Unicorn too.

Not really, I would liken them to being JP's.

[mstriumph]

Welcome to life in a democracy. ............

Thank you
Provided we agree that the emphasis is on the second syllable

[TheDemonLord]

Okay, I'll bite

Not really, I would liken them to being JP's.

Many societies contained the concept of professional jurors. The Greeks for one.

And it's perfectly reasonable to expect that appropriate training would make them far more reliable in terms of observation and accuracy of recall.

Wouldn't that however completely defeat the purpose of a Jury? The role of the Jury is to have everyday people look at the evidence. Not Lawyers, or Judges or anyone professionally connected to the Legal system.

Things like Jury Aquittals (where the Jury aquits someone, not on the weight of the evidence, but in the belief that the person should not be punished for commiting an illegal act due to circumstances)

[Swoop]

...and the question is that of should prisoners be allowed to vote?

Perhaps the methodology was wrong?

If gubbinment wishes to have an easier process, they just need to say "all prisoners may vote".
Then set up the polling booth outside the prison's main gate for them to use. If they can get to it.

[Flip]

Okay, I'll bite





Wouldn't that however completely defeat the purpose of a Jury? The role of the Jury is to have everyday people look at the evidence. Not Lawyers, or Judges or anyone professionally connected to the Legal system.

Things like Jury Aquittals (where the Jury aquits someone, not on the weight of the evidence, but in the belief that the person should not be punished for commiting an illegal act due to circumstances)

The problem is many cases can go on for months and are legally complex. Its entirely appropiate for professional people to sit on these cases. I liken being an approved jourer to other forms of professional community servive such as being a JP, sitting on a community board or even being a Rotary member. The problem is many juries have to drag the bottom of the perverbial social barrell. Its certanly not wise to have unemployed and probably uneducated people on say a complex tax-fraud case, but I suspect it is what happens.

[TheDemonLord]

The problem is many cases can go on for months and are legally complex. Its entirely appropiate for professional people to sit on these cases. I liken being an approved jourer to other forms of professional community servive such as being a JP, sitting on a community board or even being a Rotary member. The problem is many juries have to drag the bottom of the perverbial social barrell. Its certanly not wise to have unemployed and probably uneducated people on say a complex tax-fraud case, but I suspect it is what happens.

Bearing in mind I agree with the principle of what you are saying, Professional people unfortunately have professional jobs, that can't have people out of the office for that length of time.

so the only option would be to have someone as a fulltime Juror - but that would mean that they aren't separate from the Legal system (and so are biased towards the legal viewpoint)

but as I said - it would be nice to have well educated people on the Jury

[mashman]

Don't kill people in jail for murder, because they might be innocent.

Don't give people the right to vote, because they're in prison and therefore must be guilty.

[korimako1]

Bearing in mind I agree with the principle of what you are saying, Professional people unfortunately have professional jobs, that can't have people out of the office for that length of time.

so the only option would be to have someone as a fulltime Juror - but that would mean that they aren't separate from the Legal system (and so are biased towards the legal viewpoint)

but as I said - it would be nice to have well educated people on the Jury

There is a doosy coming up, I hope he has educated people on the jury

[Swoop]

The problem is many juries have to drag the bottom of the perverbial social barrell. Its certanly not wise to have unemployed and probably uneducated people on say a complex tax-fraud case, but I suspect it is what happens.

From what I've witnessed from being on quite a few juries, is that the entire communal sea is dredged for jurors and not just "the bottom".

If you attempt to have a "pool" of people, you will only end up with their own areas of prejudice. And influence...

There are a lot of times when common sense and street-wise experience means a LOT more than some twat who isn't "scum".

[Akzle]

And when you find someone that fits all of the above - you may wish to capture a White Unicorn too.

yeah, not a black one, they'll nick your car.

[Akzle]

. .