THE JURY SYSTEM By T.S.Khanna, Jan.2, 2007

The Jury System

By T.S.Khanna, January 2, 2007.

From this year the new law will permit the jurors to ask questions during the trial. As a former judicial magistrate and juror, I am pleased to note some movement for improving the jury system. May I suggest some additional points for consideration?

1. The questions of jurors may be asked by the judge without revealing the identity of the jurors.

2. The judge may also be encouraged to actively participate in the case by asking questions and making any necessary clarifications to the jury in a closed session as may be necessary.

3. The jurors may take notes and at the end of the case each juror may be required to write his/her own judgment for evaluation by the judge. This would reveal the quality of thought process of the jurors and evolve means for improving the same from judicial point of view.

4. At the discretion of the judge, a minimum of nine of the twelve jurors in agreement may have the power of final decision, after the judge has critically reviewed the judgments of the dissenting jurors.

5. No juror may be allowed to discuss the case during or after the case. Any meetings with the plaintiff, defendant, their attorneys or the media may not be allowed. Book writing about the case may also be prohibited by law.

6. Introduction to Jury System may be prescribed as a required course for High School seniors to prepare them to serve as quality jurors. Such a course would also introduce judicious thought process for fairness at young age.