Juries

Juries are a group of citizens in a legal trial who are responsible for determining the facts and making decisions based on their findings. The jury system is an integral part of many countries’ systems of justice, including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and some commonwealth countries that adopted the English model such as Australia and New Zealand.

The role of juries has been around since ancient times with Roman citizens being required to act independently when deciding upon matters relating to criminal cases or civil disputes between two parties. Over time this practice was adapted by other cultures until it eventually reached its most well-known form today; according to Black’s Law Dictionary (7th Ed), “jury” is defined as “a body consisting usually of twelve laypersons sworn under oath before a court or magistrate having jurisdiction over certain kinds of controversies to render a verdict following due consideration given evidence presented at trial”. In recent years there has been debate about whether trials should be conducted without juries but so far no major changes have come into effect regarding this matter.

In general terms jurors serve three main functions: fact finding (determining what happened during the event in question); decision making (making conclusions based on their evaluation/assessment) and acting as representatives from society – ensuring that everyone accused receives fair treatment regardless socioeconomic class etcetera). Juries examine all available material evidence presented by both sides then make a decision using whatever criteria they deem necessary; depending on where you live these can range from reasonable doubt laws through beyond reasonable doubt standards used mainly in Commonwealth countries like Canada & Great Britain up too strict liability regulations employed primarily within continental Europe also known as Nuremberg Trials which require proof beyond any possible doubt – allowing even circumstantial evidence if necessary”.

Jury selection typically involves randomly selected members chosen amongst those eligible persons living within same district where alleged crime took place although particular requirements may vary among jurisdictions thus leading courts employ variety ways select them ranging everything direct observation process whereby judge will personally observe each potential juror’s demeanour attitude answer questions posed lawyers litigants all way random ballot box draw ultimately decide outcome proceedings itself…