The Jury System

Are major changes needed?

  • By:Kenneth Jost
  • Content Type: Report
  • Publisher: CQ Press
    • Publication year: 1995
    • Online pub date:
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/cqresrre19951110

Introduction

Public discontent with the jury system appears to be increasing. The O.J. Simpson murder trial dramatized concerns about jury selection, trial procedures and the possible influence of race on jury verdicts in criminal cases. Critics of the civil justice system continue to complain about punitive damage awards by some juries. Some prosecutors favor allowing non-unanimous verdicts in criminal cases, while business groups want to further limit jury discretion in civil suits. Many experts respond that the jury system is working well in both criminal and civil cases. Still, court officials in several states are looking at ideas to make jury service less burdensome and to give jurors a larger role during trials.

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