NCJ Number
20046
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1970) Pages: 97-120
Date Published
1970
Length
24 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE ANALYZES THE ORIGINS, FUNCTION, PURPOSE AND EVOLUTION OF THE JURY IN EUROPE IN AN EXAMINATION OF WHETHER THE USE OF JURIES IN ASSIZE COURTS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED.
Abstract
EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE MODERN-DAY FUNCTIONS OF THE JURY AND THE RELATIVE RELIABILITY AND VALUE OF JURY VERDICTS. ILLUSTRATED IS HOW THE JURY HAS EVOLVED FROM A MEANS OF DECIDING GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO THE MODE FOR DECIDING DIFFICULT POINTS OF LAW AND FOR SETTING CRIMINAL PENALTIES. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THE AVERAGE JURY HAS NEITHER THE QUALIFICATIONS OR BACKGROUND TO PERFORM THESE FUNCTIONS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL MAGISTRATES, SPECIALIZING IN CRIMINOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND CRIMINAL PSYCHIATRY, TO HEAR AND DECIDE CASES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. --IN FRENCH