Who Members the Jury in the UK?
When it comes to the criminal justice system in the United Kingdom, jurors have a critical role in determining the fate of the accused. In this article, we will explore the composition of a jury and what it entails.
What is a Jury?
First, let's define what a jury is. A jury is a group of ordinary citizens randomly selected from the community to hear evidence in a criminal trial and to decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.
In the UK, the right to a jury trial is enshrined in law. Under the Juries Act 1974, juries are normally made up of 12 people. However, in some cases, a judge may choose to discharge one or more jurors, meaning that the jury could consist of fewer than 12 people.
Who Qualifies to Be a Juror in the UK?
To be eligible for jury service in the UK, you must meet certain criteria. Firstly, you must be aged between 18 and 75 years old. Secondly, you must have been a resident in the UK for at least five years since the age of 13. Finally, you must have no criminal convictions and not be currently on bail for any offence.
There are some additional requirements when it comes to selecting jurors for specific trials. For example, in cases with multiple defendants, a juror may be excluded if they know any of the defendants or their associates. Juries in certain types of cases, such as terrorism trials or cases where the defendant is under 18, may also be selected in a different way by the judge.
How Are Jurors Selected?
In the UK, jurors are randomly selected from the Electoral Register, which lists all eligible voters in the country. Those selected are then sent a jury summons and are required to attend court on the date specified in the summons.
At the court, the jurors are sworn in and given instructions on how to behave during the trial. They are then taken to the jury room, where they will decide on the verdict. Once a decision has been reached, the jury will return to the courtroom and deliver their verdict to the judge.
In conclusion, juries play an essential role in the UK criminal justice system. They are made up of ordinary citizens who are randomly selected from the community and are tasked with deciding whether the accused is guilty or not guilty. Eligibility for jury service is based on specific criteria, and the process of selecting jurors is random.
