American Jury System

By Randolph N. Jonakait

Book Overview

How are juries selected in the United States? What forces influence juries in making their decisions? Are some cases simply beyond the ability of juries to decide? How useful is the entire jury system? In this important and accessible book, a prominent expert on constitutional law examines these and other issues concerning the American jury system. Randolph N. Jonakait describes the historical and social pressures that have driven the development of the jury system; contrasts the American jury system to the legal process in other countries; reveals subtle changes in the popular view of juries; examines how the news media, movies, and books portray and even affect the system; and discusses the empirical data that show how juries actually operate and what influences their decisions. Jonakait endorses the jury system in both civil and criminal cases, spelling out the important social role juries play in legitimizing and affirming the American justice system.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300124635
• ISBN13: 9780300124637
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Maybe the best of its type

In recent years, several books have come out, each giving an overview of the jury system in terms that a lay audience can understand. Out of all of them, this may be the very best. Broad in its scope, Jonakait covers his topic with care and understanding. He displays an insight into the jury system that comes from his years as a trial lawyer, and his experience as an academic. The result is a balanced, fair work that is meticulously researched and documented.