NCJ Number
185303
Journal
Judicature Volume: 83 Issue: 6 Dated: May-June 2000 Pages: 288-296
Editor(s)
David Richert
Date Published
2000
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The author considers whether the jury trial can survive in an increasingly technological society characterized by such developments as DNA testing, the Internet, and cable television.
Abstract
The jury trial was the topic of a conference sponsored by the American Judicature Society and the McCormick Tribune Foundation in June 1999. Conference participants focused on whether the jury system is alive and well, the effect of popular media and entertainment on public perceptions of the courts, new models and new technologies for the jury, and jury challenges. Conference presentations specifically examined such issues as jury selection, peremptory challenges, jury reform, and jury deliberation. Five recommendations came out of the conference: (1) Courts and attorneys should be open to experimenting with jury reform; (2) Judges should be encouraged to communicate with the public and the media; (3) Courts should aggressively search out vehicles for discussing jury issues; (4) Courts should recognize the constituencies served and represented by the jury; and (5) Courts should analyze changes in the types of cases argued before juries. 14 footnotes