04-13-2003, 09:52 PM
Anyone else watching this series on PBS Masterpiece theater? I'm addicted, many of my favorite British actors are in the cast.
I thought the closing comments of Russell Baker were particulary interesting tonight with regard to the differences between British and American Jurys.
I don't know if I think Jurys are the best method of making a verdict in trials. I wonder if the three judge system might be better.
Anyway here are the comments of Russell Baker
from the conclusion of tonights episode.
"Histories of the origin of juries usually start in the Dark Ages with stories about accused and accusers fighting it out in front of feudal authorities -- or about supernatural tests being applied to determine which party is lying or which person deserves justice.
Cynics who spend a lot of time in modern courts are apt to say that if you get in trouble with the law nowadays you may have a better chance of getting justice from supernatural forces than from the typical modern jury of twelve citizens.
There is an ancient lawyer's joke -- which is built on the apparently universal assumption that at least one man in the jury box will always be asleep when the critical evidence is presented.
British juries are apparently chosen with much less fuss than American juries. A British Web site, which advises people what to expect if called to jury duty, states that it is rare for a potential juror to be rejected after arriving in the courtroom.
In American courts, picking the perfect jury is now a high art, and there are very expensive businesses that counsel lawyers about which jury candidates to accept and reject.
Essentially, they're advising lawyers how to put together a winning jury -- rather the way very good managers of professional sports teams put together, say, a winning football team.
I'm Russell Baker. Good night."
If you want to read about The Jury go to http//www.PBS.org
I thought the closing comments of Russell Baker were particulary interesting tonight with regard to the differences between British and American Jurys.
I don't know if I think Jurys are the best method of making a verdict in trials. I wonder if the three judge system might be better.
Anyway here are the comments of Russell Baker
from the conclusion of tonights episode.
"Histories of the origin of juries usually start in the Dark Ages with stories about accused and accusers fighting it out in front of feudal authorities -- or about supernatural tests being applied to determine which party is lying or which person deserves justice.
Cynics who spend a lot of time in modern courts are apt to say that if you get in trouble with the law nowadays you may have a better chance of getting justice from supernatural forces than from the typical modern jury of twelve citizens.
There is an ancient lawyer's joke -- which is built on the apparently universal assumption that at least one man in the jury box will always be asleep when the critical evidence is presented.
British juries are apparently chosen with much less fuss than American juries. A British Web site, which advises people what to expect if called to jury duty, states that it is rare for a potential juror to be rejected after arriving in the courtroom.
In American courts, picking the perfect jury is now a high art, and there are very expensive businesses that counsel lawyers about which jury candidates to accept and reject.
Essentially, they're advising lawyers how to put together a winning jury -- rather the way very good managers of professional sports teams put together, say, a winning football team.
I'm Russell Baker. Good night."
If you want to read about The Jury go to http//www.PBS.org