Psychology 2990A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Jury Trial, Murder Of Laci Peterson, Publication Ban

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2990A/B
• Professor: Doug Hazlewood

Document Summary

The canadian jury: selecting 12 representative and impartial peers. Two types of trials: civil trials (disputes between citizens/groups, person vs. person) No absolute right to a jury trial (depends on provincial-territorial legislation) I. e. allowed in ontario, not quebec: criminal trials (offences against the crown, verdicts often end with the peace, our lady the queen, her crown and dignity ) Right to jury trail is guaranteed in criminal code. But, only for more serious offences (penalty is 5 or more years in prison) What is the role of juries: they apply the law (as defined by judges, to the admissible evidence; and, render an unanimous verdict of guilty or not guilty. Juries represent the community where the crime occurred (adds legitimacy and public acceptance to verdicts) Serve as conscience of community (can guard against laws perceived to be unfair; e. g. dr.