PSY328H1 Lecture Notes - Jury Trial, Jury Nullification, Parole Board Of Canada
Document Summary
Used very rarely in canada for only the most serious offences; Only 1/3 of all charges are dealt with at trial, most are plead out; those that do proceed to trial, there is a choice between judge alone and a jury trial. Juries render a verdict, deciding which reality is true (crown vs. defence); sometimes asked to decide on a sentence, as well (2nd degree murder jury recommends when the defendant will be eligible for parole) Juries are made of people; although decisions should not consider inadmissible evidence, they sometimes do: opening statements from lawyers may also be persuasive for elements other than their evidence. 12 jurors, must come to unanimous verdict (canada); can only use facts of the case and laws provided by judge. Allows for the community to have their say, demonstrate conscience of community; symbolic significance; jury nullification is an important part of the law (legally guilty, but found not guilty)
