Text 4.2 What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of a Jury System?

Many countries operate a jury system when people are on trial for serious offences like murder. This system, naturally enough, has both advantages and disadvantages.

On the one hand, there is less chance of a wrong verdict being given. Because twelve people are involved in deciding the verdict as opposed to single judge, the system is less open to corruption in the form of political interference, threats and bribes.

Another advantage is that no person can be blamed or made to feel guilty if the verdict was wrong.

On the other hand, this system is very costly in terms of time and money. It slows down the legal process, which increases the legal costs. Another disadvantage is that people may have to take time off work to serve on a jury, which can be inconvenient as some trials last for weeks. In addition, as members of a jury are just ordinary people, it's relatively easy for skilled lawyers to influence their opinion.

However, although there're disadvantages, most people feel a jury system is fairer than the alternatives.

Ex.14 Answer the questions:

1 .In which cases is a jury system used?

2.Why is it believed that with a jury system there is less chance of a wrong verdict?

3.What is the biggest psychological advantage for a juror?

4.1n which aspects is this system very costly?

5. Why can this system be inconvenient to jurors?

6.Why is it easy for skilled lawyers to influence jurors opinion?

Ex.15 Work in pairs. One of you are for a jury system, another is against it. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a jury system.

Ex.16 You are going to read the facts of a well-known case called the Tyrer case. Before you read Text 4.3, choose a word or words from the list below to complete the following sentences. You may use your dictionary. Some words are used more than once.

1. A person may become a British ... if he is bom in the UK to a parent who is British.

2. Most people agree that the worst... a court can give is the death penalty.

3. A person who commits an offence is called a ...

4. If you attack a person illegally you will be tried for ...

5. If you physically hurt the person you attack, you win be tried for ... causing...

6. If the injury you cause in the attack is very serious it is called...

7. At the beginning of the trial the accuse must state if he is ... or not...

8. To punish a minor offence the court may order the criminal to pay a....

9. Young people who are accused of crimes are tried by a special court called the ... court.

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1.offender. 2.fine. 3.assault. 4.grievous bodily harm 5.citizen 6.guilty. 7juvenile. 8.punishment. 9.actual bodily harm.

Ex.17 Before you begin reading Text 4.3 "The Tyrer Case", think about the following points:

1. What do you understand by "human rights''?

2.Can you name some individual human rights?

3.How is it possible to protect human rights?

4. Do you know anything about The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

5.Do you know anything about The European Court of Human Rights?

Ex.18 Read the following to check your knowledge.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 protects many important rights such as the right to life, freedom from torture and slavery, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the right to marry and found a family, the light to a fair trial. The European Court of Human Rights was established in Strasbourg in 1959. Only states which are parties to the Convention of Human Rights have the right to bring a case before the Court.

Ex.19 Do not read the text in details for these activities.

a) Quickly scan Text 4.3 for:

Headings: the title and other headings.

Proper names: names of people, places, courts and other institutions.

Sources: names of conventions, Acts of Parliament.

Numbers: dates and other numbers.

b) Use the information from a) to decide the following:

- What do you think the text is about?

- Who is involved?

- What do you think the case itself is about?