The ethical standard of justice is a universal right that people in all levels of society are entitled to. In America, one way that the Constitution ensures justice is by naming the right citizens have to a trial by impartial jury. In criminal trials, juries are to decide the fate of one person based on the facts and sometimes, the law. In civil suits, juries decide who gets penalized and who gets the spoils. These decisions are made by twelve people who are representative of the parties' communities and who deliberate among themselves to come to the appropriate verdict. The jury is an important part of the American legal system that serves in the full interests of justice because the makeup of a jury provides for the fairest possible trial for those subject to one, and because it allows for the citizens of America to live by rules that they find are right and just.
Compelling a jury to analyze and argue among themselves to come to a unanimous conclusion gives the defendant a more fair opportunity in court. Consider the alternative: one person, the judge, deciding a court case. A trial by twelve of one's peers is more appropriate than a trial by just a judge because the judge is more than likely presiding over more than one case at a time.
[...] In 1789, another Founder and first Chief Justice John Jay said to a jury: is presumed, that juries are the best judges of facts; it is, on the other hand, presumed that courts are the best judges of law. But still both objects are within your power of decision you have a right to take it upon yourselves to judge of both, and to determine the law as well as the fact in controversy” (Smith). Both of these men, integral to the founding of the United States, share the sentiment that it was the right of the jury to rule, not only on the facts, but on the law as well. [...]
[...] These different aspects are to come together and work for form a cohesive answer for the court based on the jury's analysis of the evidence and sometimes, analysis of the law. By creating a sample of the community to serve on a jury, it attempts to ensure that no viewpoint is underrepresented. An appropriate sample of the community is a sample of the community in which the defendant resides. The process of jury selection does the best job in ensuring that an accurate cross section of a population will serve as a jury of peers. [...]
[...] The balance that is needed for a fair jury can then be upheld and the interests of justice are once again served. Juries are paramount to having the fairest trial possible. The jury system also allows people to live by laws that represent the interest of citizens as a whole. The right to a speedy trial by jury is specifically outlined in the Sixth Amendment. All criminal trials are subject to a trial by jury, as stated in Article III, Section 2. [...]
[...] The American jury system also has checks in place where peremptory challenges and unfair laws threaten to undermine the interests of justice. The fairest possible trial and the ability for the American citizens to live by fair and just rules are guaranteed by the jury system. There are some critics of the jury system who believe it is a better idea to let a judge, who is deemed qualified, replace the twelve person jury. In truth, who would be better qualified than your fellow man to make decisions based on your life? [...]
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