What is the role of the jury UK?

The jurors are charged with the responsibility of deciding whether, on the facts of the case, a person is guilty or not guilty of the offence for which he or she has been charged. The jury must reach its verdict by considering only the evidence introduced in court and the directions of the judge.

How are jurors selected UK?

All Crown Courts have an official responsible for summoning the jurors to hear a case. They arrange for the jurors’ names to be selected from the electoral register. This is an automatic process, randomly done by the computer at a central office.

How do juries work?

The first person selected as a juror acts as the foreperson of the jury. Their role is to write the jury’s decision (guilty or not guilty) against the charges on the Issue Paper (a form that the charges against the defendants are listed on) and announce the verdict in open court.

Can you refuse jury UK?

Avoiding it, however, is ill advised: you cannot simply refuse and it is a criminal offence to not answer a jury summons without reasonable cause. You may, however, be able to defer (or possibly be excused) if you’ve served in the last two years or have a good reason.

Why does the jury decide and not the judge?

Juries tend to be easier audiences than judges. Jurors tend to be less concerned with technical details and more so with listening to a compelling story and making a decision based on who they believe should win under the circumstances. Meanwhile, judges analyze all the facts, evidence, and details of the case.

Does all the jury have to agree?

So let’s be clear: Jurors are NOT required to deliver a verdict for all, some, or any charge at all that they are asked to consider. When jurors report to the judge that they cannot agree in sufficient number to deliver a verdict, the jury is said to be “deadlocked” or a “hung jury”.

What should I wear to jury duty UK?

There is no strict dress code and you can wear clothes you’re comfortable in, such as jeans and a t-shirt. You cannot wear: very casual clothing, such as beachwear. anything on your head, unless it is for religious reasons.

What happens when a jury Cannot reach a verdict UK?

A judge is unable to force the jury to return a verdict. If a jury cannot agree on a verdict, either unanimously or by a permissible majority, the whole jury will be discharged. A jury who are unable to agree on a verdict are known as a hung jury.

What does it mean when a jury comes back quickly?

At bottom, it means that the jury did the job it was sworn to do, and it didn’t require lengthy deliberation.