The Jury System as Civic Duty in the United States

In United States courts, the jury is a system by which, in theory, defendants are given a trial that is fair and unbiased. The idea is that twelve persons from the same peer group as the defendant will be able to deliberate without prejudice the position of the defense, and the outcome of the trial. In reality however it is often the case that jury members are unable to arrive at a logical and fair conclusion due to several factors beyond their control, including interference from court systems and the law. The American jury system has its direct roots in medieval England. As early as the 1100s, groups of 12 knights were assembled to resolve over land titles and taxation. The group of 12 evolved into a jury, which had the power to give testimony and ask questions of the accused and accuser, as well as decide the merits of arguments and evidence. The English jury system is considered an outgrowth of common law, a legal system that developed from the "common customs" of the kingdom. The link between the common law and the U.S's present jury system can be seen in the fact that judges and trials often focus on the facts of the particular case in an effort to arrive at a fair result for the parties involved in the dispute. Over the course of the 19th century, judges came into the jury picture. They gained power to control juries and juries' roles became what they are today- hearing evidence and deciding the guilt or innocence of an individual. Our current jury system has evolved greatly over the years. We have discovered both advantages and disadvantages of our system. We continue to build on our jury system in order to perfect the flaws that still continue to haunt our system.