Title Jury duty : reclaiming your political power and taking responsibility / Michael Singer

Published Santa Barbara, Calif. : Praeger, [2012] ©2012

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Description 1 online resource (xi, 242 pages) : illustrations Contents Part I. The basics of the jury system ; How the jury system works -- What the jury system costs -- Citizens as jurors in the justice system -- Part II. Myths about the jury system ; The myth of improved trial outcomes -- The myth of promoting democratic citizenship -- Part III. The jury as political institution ; The long history of the nullification power -- The jury as safeguard against government -- The worth of the jury system -- Part IV. Government obstruction of the jury ; Obstruction of the jury in the trial process -- Obstruction of the jury in the sentencing process -- Part V. Jury responsibility ; Discretion and responsibility -- Conscientious fulfillment of jury duty -- Juror responsibility for unjust prison conditions Summary "Jury Duty: Reclaiming Your Political Power and Taking Responsibility" presents an accessible account of the origins and development of the jury system as well as a comprehensive, stage-by-stage description of a jury trial and of the sentencing procedure in a criminal trial. The work also provides a unique estimate of the cost of the jury system, which is particularly relevant in this continuing era of budget constraints. Rejecting the justifications usually given for the jury system, the work explains how the political roles of the jury constitute the chief value of the jury system. The basis of these political roles is the unquestionable power of the jury to acquit even a guilty criminal defendant, which allows juries to prevent the enforcement of unjust laws and the imposition of unjust punishments. Accordingly, the book challenges a range of practices that the judiciary has developed to obstruct the jury's exercise of this power. Most people--even including many lawyers--remain unaware of these practices, but they undermine the value of the jury system to our society. Finally, the book offers an original, thought-provoking analysis of the responsibilities imposed on criminal trial jurors in cases of compelling injustice Bibliography Includes chapter notes (pages [187]-215), bibliographical references (pages 217-234), and index Notes English Subject Jury -- United States Law -- United States. Law. LAW -- Civil Procedure. LAW -- Legal Services. POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- Judicial Branch. Law Jury United States Form Electronic book LC no. 2012014067 ISBN 9781440802706 144080270X 9781440802706 9781283549431 1283549433 9786613861887 661386188X 9798216107521 9798400675232

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