LAW P1- Sec A- Juries

Why would someone be disqualified from jury service?

A person will be disqualified permanently if…

• they’ve been sentenced to 5+ years in prison

• They’ve been sentenced to life imprisonment

• Public protection

A person will be disqualified for 10 years if…

• they’ve served a prison sentence below 5 years

• Served a suspended sentence

• Had a community order

Citizens are also disqualified whilst they are on bail.

There’s 4 main reasons/ branches as to why someone wouldn’t qualify for jury duty. What are they?

Disqualified

Ineligible

Excused

Discretionary excusal

DIED

What are the basic requirements a citizen must meet to qualify for jury service?

Aged between 18-75

On the electoral register

Lived in the UK for 5+ years since there 13th birthday

Why may citizens be INELLIGIBLE to qualify for jury service?

• they may have a mental illness

• They may lack capacity, e.g. be blind, deaf or not have English as a first language

Why may citizens be EXCUSED from sitting jury duty?

members of the armed forces can be excused if their commanding officer certifies this. An application must be made ti the cereal summoning bereau to request this

Why may citizens be granted discretionary excusal from jury service?

The following people can ask for there jury service to be changed to a later date

• mother with a baby

• Those with PRE-booked holidays

• Those with important exams

What is jury nobbling?

Where jurors have been bribed or intimidated

Why were majority verdicts introduced?

To prevent jury nobbling

What decision must jurors come to?

Unanimous verdict

However majority verdicts of 10-2 or 11-1 can sometimes be accepted

If there is insufficient evidence in a case what can happen?

The judge can direct the jury to find the defendant not guilty, this is known as DIRECTED ACQUITTAL

Define directed acquittal

When the judge tells the jury to find the defendant not guilty due to the prosecution not presenting enough evidence

What 2 acts must be included in a question on the role of juries?

Juries act 1974 (must be in all juries questions)

Contempt of court act 1981

What is the contempt of court act 1981?

states that anything discussed amongst the jurors cannot be disclosed out of the private room

Where and how does the jury decide verdict?

The juries retire to a private room to discuss the case in private

This is where the verdict is decided

Under the contempt of court act 1981, anything discussed can’t be disclosed outside the room

Juries hear indictable and some triable either way cases. Only under what circumstance?

The defendant has pleaded not guilty

How many jurors sit in the crown court and hear trials?

12

What points must be included in a question on the role of juries?

• rules concerning jury are found in the juries act 1974

• Jury is used only in crown court when the defendant pleads guilty

• 12 jurors sit at once

• They hear indictable and some triable either way cases

• The judge decides the points of law and jury decide the verdict

• The jury will retire to discuss the case in secret

• If there is insufficient evidence the judge directs the jury to find the defendent not guilty (directed acquittal)

• Contempt of court act 1981- anything discussed amongst jurors cannot be disclosed outside the room

• Unanimous or majority verdict

• Majority verdict introduced to avoid jury nobbling

• The jury does not need to give a reason for their decision

Where are all rules concerning the jury found?

Juries act 1974