Question 1

Why did the framers of the United States legal system consider trial by jury "fundamental to the American scheme of justice"?

Accepted Answer

The framers of the United States legal system considered trial by jury fundamental to the American scheme of justice for several reasons. First, they believed that trial by jury was a crucial safeguard against government oppression and tyranny. By allowing citizens to participate in the legal process as jurors, the framers sought to ensure that the rights and liberties of individuals would be protected from arbitrary or unjust government actions.

Additionally, trial by jury was seen as a way to promote fairness and impartiality in the legal system. The framers believed that a jury of one's peers would be better able to assess the facts of a case and reach a just decision, as opposed to a single judge or government official making a unilateral determination.

Furthermore, trial by jury was viewed as a means of fostering civic engagement and responsibility among the citizenry. By serving on a jury, individuals were able to actively participate in the administration of justice and contribute to the functioning of the legal system.

Overall, the framers considered trial by jury to be fundamental to the American scheme of justice because it embodied principles of democracy, fairness, and citizen participation in the legal process. It was seen as a crucial mechanism for upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of individuals within the United States.

Question 2

Based on Supreme Court interpretations of the U.S. Constitution, which statement is not correct concerning the size of juries?

Accepted Answer

A)   six-member juries in federal civil cases
B)   six-member juries in federal criminal cases
C)   six-member juries in state civil cases
D)   six-member juries in state criminal cases A

Question 3

Explain the importance of trustworthiness and relevance as they relate to the admissibility of evidence?

Accepted Answer

Trustworthiness and relevance are two key factors that determine the admissibility of evidence in a legal setting.

Trustworthiness refers to the reliability and credibility of the evidence. In order for evidence to be admissible, it must be trustworthy and not subject to manipulation or tampering. This ensures that the evidence accurately reflects the truth and can be relied upon to make fair and just decisions. Trustworthiness can be established through various means, such as chain of custody documentation, expert testimony, and forensic analysis.

Relevance, on the other hand, refers to the connection between the evidence and the issues at hand in the case. For evidence to be admissible, it must be relevant to the facts in dispute and help to prove or disprove a material fact. Irrelevant evidence can be misleading and distract from the central issues of the case, so it is important for evidence to be directly related to the matter at hand.

Both trustworthiness and relevance are crucial in determining the admissibility of evidence because they ensure that only reliable and pertinent information is considered in legal proceedings. This helps to uphold the integrity of the justice system and ensures that decisions are based on accurate and meaningful evidence. Without these standards, the risk of unfair outcomes and miscarriages of justice would be much higher. Therefore, trustworthiness and relevance play a vital role in the admissibility of evidence and the pursuit of justice.

Question 4

The Constitution's requirement of jury trials:

Accepted Answer

A)   is uniform for federal and state governments, regardless of the kinds of cases
B)   is different for civil and criminal cases
C)   is set at a twelve?person jury
D)   requires unanimous jury convictions in all cases

Question 5

Juries must always be unanimous.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

What image of jury consultants is provided in Runaway Jury and how is it similar or different to that presented in the text?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What image of jury consultants is provided...

Question 7

Which of the following is not a permissible technique for dealing with prejudicial pretrial publicity?

Accepted Answer

A)   sequestering the jury
B)   change of venue
C)   forbidding either party to provide the press with information
D)   prohibiting the press from publishing information about the case

Question 8

Venire involves the drawing of the jury pool.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

In Baldwin v. New York (1970), the Supreme Court held that a defendant in a criminal case has the right to a jury trial:

Accepted Answer

A)   if charged with treason
B)   only if charged with a capital offense
C)   is facing a prison sentence of six months or more
D)   only if charged with a felony
E)   none of the above

Question 10

Describe what is meant by the term "jury nullification" and offer a political science explanation for why jurors might want to engage in such behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe what is meant by the term...

Question 11

Petty offenses enjoy no constitutional right to a jury trial.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Describe one potential impact of the use of jury consultants on the legitimacy of the jury system?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe one potential impact of the use...

Question 13

In what type of civil case is there is no constitutional right to a trial by jury?

Accepted Answer

A)   equity
B)   contract
C)   common law
D)   tort

Question 14

Are concerns about the impact of pretrial publicity warranted in most cases? Examine efforts to limit prejudicial pretrial publicity in this era of the 24/7 new cycle.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Are concerns about the impact of pretrial...

Exam 12: Trials and Juries

Why did the framers of the United States legal system consider trial by jury "fundamental to the American scheme of justice"?

Based on Supreme Court interpretations of the U.S. Constitution, which statement is not correct concerning the size of juries?

Explain the importance of trustworthiness and relevance as they relate to the admissibility of evidence?

The Constitution's requirement of jury trials:

Juries must always be unanimous.

What image of jury consultants is provided in Runaway Jury and how is it similar or different to that presented in the text?

Which of the following is not a permissible technique for dealing with prejudicial pretrial publicity?

Venire involves the drawing of the jury pool.

In Baldwin v. New York (1970) , the Supreme Court held that a defendant in a criminal case has the right to a jury trial:

Describe what is meant by the term "jury nullification" and offer a political science explanation for why jurors might want to engage in such behavior.

Petty offenses enjoy no constitutional right to a jury trial.

Describe one potential impact of the use of jury consultants on the legitimacy of the jury system?

In what type of civil case is there is no constitutional right to a trial by jury?

Are concerns about the impact of pretrial publicity warranted in most cases? Examine efforts to limit prejudicial pretrial publicity in this era of the 24/7 new cycle.