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The Velveteen Ocelot

(116,071 posts)

26. The Constitution guarantees a jury trial in criminal cases.

Mon Jul 15, 2013, 11:30 PM

Jul 2013

The right to a jury trial has existed since 1215. That's an awful lot of historical precedent to throw away. Of course, some would argue that it's an antiquated system that should be abolished, but I'd rather have 12 people sitting in judgment than a judge who was probably a political appointee.

Here's Amendment VI:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

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Do you want the jury system abolished? [View all] rug Jul 2013 OP

No way. NaturalHigh Jul 2013 #1

"There's no point for democracy when ignorance is celebrated" - There is no right answer to this. Gravitycollapse Jul 2013 #2

It needs to be reformed. madaboutharry Jul 2013 #3

Absolutely marions ghost Jul 2013 #22

Are you talking about Courts or DU ? Tx4obama Jul 2013 #4

IQ tests. Both courts and DU n/t leftstreet Jul 2013 #8

Courts. rug Jul 2013 #19

No in fact get rid of the 6 person juries treestar Jul 2013 #5

Yes. replace jurors with a panel of judges. darkangel218 Jul 2013 #6

And how will those judges be seated? MicaelS Jul 2013 #7

It would be difficult but it can be done. darkangel218 Jul 2013 #10

Then it depends on who the king is, doesn't it. n/t Agnosticsherbet Jul 2013 #9

No, professional jurors can be bribed. JaneyVee Jul 2013 #30

The Jury system is outdated and ridiculous. BlueJazz Jul 2013 #11

Someone's been watching too much CSI... Llewlladdwr Jul 2013 #27

What are you talking about ??? BlueJazz Jul 2013 #31

A machine that can positively tell what a person is THINKING? hughee99 Jul 2013 #32

We ARE getting close. Brain scans can tell if a person's speech and patter is agreeing with what ... BlueJazz Jul 2013 #33

It's still miles away from what you're talking about. Especially with an "uncooperative subject". hughee99 Jul 2013 #34

This message was self-deleted by its author BlueJazz Jul 2013 #35

Then you go with your system and I'll try to bring my idea to light. BlueJazz Jul 2013 #36

I wish you the best of luck, hughee99 Jul 2013 #38

no, Niceguy1 Jul 2013 #12

The jury system is actually very democratic if it isn't tampered with. Cleita Jul 2013 #13

I read a lot of true crime. LisaLynne Jul 2013 #14

If I knew of a better system I would say yes because I do think the jury system is flawed Bjorn Against Jul 2013 #15

No, but I would consider abolishing the best lawyer to the highest bidder system. nt ZombieHorde Jul 2013 #16

I just listened to that juror on AC360 NoOneMan Jul 2013 #17

There are a number of problems with the current jury system ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2013 #18

Other. H2O Man Jul 2013 #20

FWIW, I've seen lots of judges. rug Jul 2013 #21

For a murder trial at least, there need to be more than 6 jurors. MH1 Jul 2013 #23

I think that's pretty unique to Florida... NaturalHigh Jul 2013 #24

local repubs just elected a tea party bozo for judge dembotoz Jul 2013 #25

The Constitution guarantees a jury trial in criminal cases. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #26

Seems a bit over the top to abolish the jury system... Llewlladdwr Jul 2013 #28

Kick! n/t TroglodyteScholar Jul 2013 #29

Why does anyone think a bench trial would have been better? BainsBane Jul 2013 #37