The U nited S tates Jury S ystem

1. The United States Jury System By Bobby Gagnon and Sarah Bibbey

2. How it works • In a jury trial, the court consists of the judge, jury, and lawyers. • The court is an official agency of government authorized to handle arguments. • the Jury Commissioner is the Executive Head of the Office of Jury Commissioner.

3. How am I selected as a juror? • In order to serve as a juror , you must be a U.S. citizen, be 18 years old or older , and can speak and understand English. • You must live in the county in which you have been called to serve. • You cannot be called to serve if you have served in the last 3 years.

4. How long must I serve as a juror? • Your juror service will be as short as possible. • If you are seated on a jury at the end of your first day, you must complete that trial. Trials do not last longer than two or three days. • If you are not seated on a trial at the end of your first day, you will be discharged at that time unless a judge orders otherwise.

5. How are jurors paid? • Your Mass. Employer is required by law to pay your regular wage for the first three day of jury service. • After three days, the state will pay you $50 per day, but some employers will pay an employee even after the three days. • If you are a student or non-employed, you may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses during the first three days up to $50 per day.

6. Our Legal System and Great Britain • The U.S. Constitution is based upon the idea of independent powers. • This system was created to insure that there could never be a tyranny by one branch of government, • In the British system there is something called the parliamentary sovereignty. This states that whatever law is passed by parliament is absolute.

7. What does the jury do? • The jury finds the truth and decides on the facts. • The jury does not decide the rules of law to be applied to the facts in the case. • The jury can “retire” from the courtroom to make a “jury deliberations”.

8. What does the judge do? • The judge guides and controls the conduct of the entire trial. • It is the judge's responsibility to see that the jury hears and sees only the evidence that is legally admissible. • After all of the evidence has been presented to the jury, the judge tells the jury the proper rules of law required to resolve the case.

9. What do the lawyers do? • The lawyers represent and advise their clients on all aspects of the trial. • The lawyers usually make opening statements in which they tell the jury what evidence they expect to produce. Lawyers may present the evidence to the jury critical to their client's claims. • The lawyers present evidence primarily by asking questions of witnesses.

10. What is evidence? • Evidence includes testimony, the answers to the questions put to witnesses, and writings or physical objects called exhibits. • The lawyer's questions are not evidence. Even the statements and instructions of the judge are not evidence. • The judge, will explain exactly what the evidence is in any particular case.

11. Bonnie and Clyde • They were well known outlaws, robbers, criminals who traveled with their gang during the great depression. • The gang is believed to have killed at least 9 police officers and committed several civilian murders. • They got ambushed and killed on May 23, 1934 in Louisiana. Bonnie and Clyde were both shot and killed by police.

12. Caylee Anthony • Died June 16, 2008 • Reported missing July 15, 2008 • Remains found December 11, 2008 in a trash bag near the family’s house. • Casey (her mother) went on trial May 24, 2011 and was found not guilty.

13. Resources • http://www.mass.gov/courts/jury/aboutmy1.htm • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BizxiDtFdrI • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY9grpoUKrQ&feature=relmfu