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JURY SYSTEM LEGAL STUDIES 3C
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JURY SYSTEM True or false
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JURY SYSTEM Jury acts as an independent/unbiased decision-maker. Read “Terror plotters appeal against 'unreasonable' jury” Read “Jury discharged in fatal hit-run case” The jury is the decider of the facts. It makes a decision about which facts it believes to be true. The jury must apply the facts to the law as explained by the judge. The judges makes decisions on points of law.
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JURY SYSTEM The jury does not give a reason for its decision. Jurors are required to consider only the evidence that is presented to them in the courtroom when making their decision. Jurors can ask the judge questions and request information, but they are not permitted to undertake any investigations of their own in relation to the case. Read “Jury sleuths should not face court” http://media.theage.com.au/national/selections/judge-reprimands-badenclay-jury-5586819.html http://media.theage.com.au/national/selections/judge-reprimands-badenclay-jury-5586819.html
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JURY SYSTEM Jury Act 2003 (Tas) A jury is not used in the Magistrates Court, in appeal cases or when the accused pleads guilty Trial by judge: if the prosecution and the accused agree, a judge sitting alone can hear the trial without a jury (if in the interests of justice to do so). Read Daniel Christie article
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JURY SYSTEM The role of the jury in both civil and criminal trials: Listen to all evidence, understand and remember it Not lose concentration and make sense of the evidence Understand points of law explained by the judge Put aside any prejudices or preconceived ideas Form an opinion on which party is in the right or whether the accused is guilty or not guilty Make a decision on the facts of the case http://media.theage.com.au/national/selections/badenclay-jury-explores-key-sites-5538938.html http://media.theage.com.au/national/selections/badenclay-jury-explores-key-sites-5538938.html
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JURY SYSTEM - CRIMINAL Criminal trial – 12 people on the jury – 2 reserve jurors for lengthy trials Find accused guilty or not guilty, or guilty of a lesser crime (ie: not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b71Vle- 08Ps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b71Vle- 08Ps Brodie Leigh Price A GRIEVING father was dumbstruck and a judge struggled to understand how a jury arrived at a manslaughter verdict over the killing of Jason McPherson. Brodie Leigh Price, 20, of Lenah Valley, has been sentenced to eight years’ jail, with a minimum non- parole period of four years, for the shooting death of Mr McPherson in a Kingston backyard last year. Earlier a jury found Price not guilty of murder, but guilty of an alternative charge of manslaughter, by a majority verdict. In his sentencing remarks Justice Stephen Estcourt said: “It is difficult to understand in the circumstances of this case how the jury could pass over a verdict of murder... and yet arrive at a verdict of manslaughter.”
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JURY SYSTEM - CRIMINAL Decision must be beyond reasonable doubt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGinp15WCnc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGinp15WCnc Must reach a unanimous verdict (all members of the jury agree) If not possible, a majority verdict (11 out of 12) can be accepted except in cases of murder, treason, trafficking or cultivating drugs, or Commonwealth offences http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk9lN- 354lghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk9lN- 354lg
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JURY SYSTEM - CRIMINAL If the jury finds the accused guilty, the judge will pass sentence If jury is unable to reach a verdict, it is said to be a hung jury. A new trial, with a new jury, will usually be conducted. Read “Bree Stanford death: Hung jury in dangerous driving case” Judge can direct the jury to acquit the accused. Judge can discharge a jury at any stage of the trial. https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/watch/29078828/jury-in-rogerson-trial- discharged/#page1 (watch) https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/watch/29078828/jury-in-rogerson-trial- discharged/#page1 Read “'New material' sees jury discharged in Lin family murder trial”
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JURY SYSTEM - CIVIL 7 people on the jury (in Tasmania) with up to 2 reserve jurors for a lengthy trials Make a decision on balance of probabilities Find for either the plaintiff or defendant Decision is a unanimous decision. If not possible, a majority decision (6 out of 7) Jury decides on the amount of damages to be paid to the plaintiff if plaintiff is successful
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JURY SYSTEM - CIVIL Juries are optional in civil trials Most civil cases are heard in the Magistrates Court
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AUTHORITIES FOR TRIAL BY JURY Section 80 Australian Constitution provides for trial by jury in respect of an indictable offence against Commonwealth laws Section 361 Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas) provides for trial by jury in respect of an indictable offence against state of Tasmania Section 29, 30, 31 Supreme Court Civil Procedures Act 1932 (Tas) and Rules s56 and s57 of Supreme Court Rules 2000 provide for trial at a civil sitting
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JURY EMPANELMENT Who is eligible? Every person enrolled on State electoral roll and resides in a gazetted jury district Who is not eligible? People who are mentally or physically unfit to carry out the duties of a juror (e.g.; hearing loss or other medical conditions) (Read Queensland deaf campaigner article) People who cannot understand or speak English
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JURY EMPANELMENT Who is disqualified? Police, practicing lawyers, anyone connected with investigation of crime, administration of justice or punishment of offenders. Convicted of a crime or crimes in Tasmania or elsewhere and have been sentenced to a three or more year imprisonment or detention. Persons in prison, undergoing a suspended prison sentence, doing community service orders or on parole Watch “Disqualified from Jury Service” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_IiVyQhz5Ahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_IiVyQhz5A
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JURY EMPANELMENT Empanelling the jury (handout) http://www.supremecourt.tas.gov.au/publications/videos/jury_service (watch) http://www.supremecourt.tas.gov.au/publications/videos/jury_service
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READING FROM TEXTBOOK Chapter 10 including strengths and weaknesses, reforms and alternatives
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