The criminal jury old and new : jury power from early times to the present day

Giving an account of the jury - from its genesis onwards - including post-Criminal Justice Act 2003, this book deals with all the great political and legal landmarks and shows how the jury developed - and survived to become a key democratic institution capable of resisting monarchs, governments and sometimes plain Law. "This book is an account of the evolution of the jury and jury trial from early times to the present day including changes brought in by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 that widen the categories of people undertaking jury service." "The Criminal Jury Old and New traces the genesis of the historic system of 'trial by peers' from its roots as a replacement for trial by ordeal through all its great legal and political landmarks. It shows how the jury changed and developed across the centuries to become a key democratic institution capable of resisting monarchs, governments, pressure and interference - and, on occasion, the plain words of the law. It also looks at such intriguing concepts as 'jury nullification', 'perverse verdicts' and 'pious perjury'."--Jacket A first-rate account of the jury - from its genesis to the present day - including post-Criminal Justice Act 2003. This book deals with all the great political and legal landmarks and shows how the jury developed - and survived to become a key democratic institution capable of resisting monarchs, governments and sometimes plain Law.Linking past and present, John Hostettler conveys the unique nature of the jury, and its central role in the administration of justice - but above all its importance as'a thing of the people'and a barrier to manipulation and abuse of power.The Criminal Jury Old and New is a text that will be of interest to practitioners, collectors, students, researchers, libraries and colleges alike. A first-rate account of the jury - from its genesis to modern times. The book deals with all the great political and legal landmarks and shows how the jury developed and survived to become a key democratic institution capable of resisting monarchs, governments and interference. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [157]-163) And Index.