NCJ Number
37443
Date Published
1976
Length
120 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT FOCUSES ON CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND PROCEDURAL DEVELOPMENTS WHICH HAVE CAUSED THE JURY SYSTEM TO UNDERGO RADICAL CHANGES.
Abstract
THREE ASPECTS OF CONSTITUTIONAL DIMENSION ARE REPORTED: SCOPE OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL, SIZE OF JURY, AND UNANIMOUS VERDICTS. THE CHANGES IN THE JURY PROCESS DISCUSSED ARE THE SELECTION OF THE VENIRE, THE SELECTION OF THE PANEL, PROCEDURE DURING TRIAL, AND THE ROLE OF THE COURT IN ADMINISTERING THE SYSTEM. THE ISSUES INVOLVED INCLUDE THE USE OF COMPUTERS, DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES, NOTE-TAKING BY JURORS, AND THE LENGTH OF THE TERM OF SERVICE. PERTINENT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ARE CITED. CHARTED DATA ON STATE PRACTICES RELATING TO JURIES OF LESS THAN 12, LESS THAN UNANIMOUS VERDICTS, MASTER JURY LISTS, PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS, AND JUROR COMPENSATION ARE PROVIDED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A STATE-BY-STATE SUMMARY OF CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS REGARDING JURY SIZE AND UNANIMITY OF VERDICTS. A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. THIS REPORT IS INTENDED AS AN INFORMATION GUIDE FOR USE BY JUDGES, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, LEGISLATORS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, CITIZENS GROUPS, JOURNALISTS, AND OTHERS CONCERNED WITH JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION.