NCJ Number
80442
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 305-323
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The social composition of jurors in postcolonial multiracial Trinidad is examined, along with the relationship between the social background of the accused and jury verdicts.
Abstract
The study examined the race, sex, and social class (occupation) of (1) those eligible for jury service, (2) those who served as jurors, and (3) those who received exemption from jury service. Data on race and sex were obtained for the defendants. A total of 390 trials which were conducted over 30 months (January 1, 1976, to June 30, 1978) were used as a sample. Data were obtained from the Supreme Court Registry. Findings show that the chances of becoming a juror were significantly related to the race and social class of eligible persons; there was no such relationship according to sex. The evidence also indicated that chances of jurors becoming foremen were significantly related to race, sex, and social class. Generally, the social composition of jurors and foremen was heavily middle-class. Juries and foremen were biased in favor of males and non-Indians. There was no evidence that the social composition of jurors and foremen was related to the verdict. An examination of the social backgrounds of those exempted from jury service showed that the higher the social class of the eligible persons, the greater the likelihood that they would seek and receive an exemption. Overall, findings show that the typical jury does not represent a cross section of the community. Tabular data and 42 references are provided.