Explain why it is so important that juries reach a unanimous verdict.
What will be an ideal response?
The jury serves as the conscience of the community and speaks for society in considering a
defendant’s fate. It is important that efforts be made to ensure that the jury represents the community for
which it is speaking. One of the primary questions asked in favor of unanimity is: If all members of the
jury who represent various aspects of the community are not persuaded by the facts presented at trial to
reach a certain verdict, is it appropriate to ignore the minority opinion and allow a non-unanimous
verdict? The idea that there is still reasonable doubt within the jury is a significant reason that a
unanimous requirement is important. Additionally, would accepting non-unanimous verdicts encourage
the majority of jurors to ignore or discount the input of the minority? If the answer is yes, then having
non-unanimous verdicts would hinder the jury’s representation of the community as a whole.
You might also like to view...
By definition, an individual who terrorizes is a terrorist
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
If the trial ends in a hung jury, it must be retried with the same jury
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.
Which of the following is NOT a possible result of posttrial appeals?
A. a modification of the imposed sentence B. changes in the conditions of confinement C. a finding of not guilty D. a new trial
Over half of the probationers have no direct contact with their probation officer
a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false