Jury, a group of citizens who decide a case after hearing evidence and being instructed on the law of the matter at hand, is central to the justice system. It can prevent “laws being enforced with which the population do not agree”, says lawyer Samantha Love in an article for Oxford Royale Academy, and it ensures that “society is involved in the administration of justice.” However, she concedes that juries can also have their downsides: they can cost people money because they are absent from work for sustained periods and often require a lot of time away from their families. And they are not necessarily always impartial: “a jury consists of a group of individuals and, in the hands of a biased person, it can be an effective weapon of repression”, she writes.
Jurors must keep an open mind and listen carefully to the evidence presented during the trial. They should not discuss the case with anyone, including each other, until all the facts have been fully examined and they have been instructed on the law. Jurors take an oath, or affirmation, to consider the evidence in a fair and impartial manner. This oath is administered by the judge or clerk, who takes their responses and uplifted hands as a sign of their solemn commitment. If they wish, jurors may take their oath on a bible or other holy book of their choice.
After the lawyers have finished presenting their opening and closing arguments, the jurors retire to a private room where they discuss the evidence and make their decision. During the discussion, points often arise that were not specifically discussed during the trial.
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