Fair Trial by Jury

Archive Report

Operation of Jury System in the South

Johnson's Call for Reform of Jury System

The american jury system, often criticized but seldom modified, is once again under fire. In his State of the Union message, Jan. 12, President Johnson called for legislation “to establish unavoidable requirements for non-discriminatory jury selection in federal and state courts and to give the Attorney General the power necessary to enforce those requirements.” The proposal was aimed at “Jim Crow justice” in the South where, except in some urban areas, Negroes have rarely or never been selected for jury duty.

The President's request came as no surprise. As long ago as last Nov. 16, he told a group of civil rights leaders at the White House that he intended to seek legislation ...

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