POSC 20403 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Bowe Bergdahl, Jury Instructions, Jury Trial
Document Summary
#1: mitchell and klein explain that most cases never reach a jury trial in the u. s. because of fear and uncertainty. Trial lawyers believe that juries are the best defense because two heads are better than one. Multiple people are more likely to pick up on important details and notice and correct mistakes rather than one person. Multiple decision makers bring more perspectives to a case, increasing the probability that someone will understand an aspect that might be difficult for another person. Choosing a jury will be a representation of the community therefore, trial by jury is in theory the fairest judgement by one"s peers. Because the process of selecting jurors is so detailed and lengthy, one can see why most lawyers believe that trial by jury is the best defense. Even though juries deliberate about the verdict in secret away from the judge, there are other multiple ways that the judge can play a central role in the trial.
