Are juries fair? /
Cheryl Thomas.
- London : Ministry of Justice, 2010.
- ix, 67p. : ill. ; 30cm.
- Ministry of Justice Research Series ; no.1 .
This research asks: is jury decision-making fair? Specifically, it examines whether all-white juries discriminate against black and minority ethnic defendants, whether juries rarely convict on certain offences or at certain courts, whether jurors understand legal directions, are aware of media coverage or look for information on the internet about their cases. The empirical study involved over 1,000 actual jurors in three areas of the country and over 68,000 jury verdicts across all Crown Courts in England and Wales. The study found little evidence of jury unfairness but that jurors want and need better tools to understand the jury process.