People get away with robbery all the time! How hard can it be?
The Crime
Im calling the police! You'll never get away with this!
Booked
STOP RIGHT THERE. YOUR UNDER ARREST!
Jail Bird
Trial by Jury v.s Judge
This could go two ways Alex. It is up to you how you wish to proceed but, I shall exaplain both.
It had been a really slow month at the gym. As a personal trainor, Alex has always had at least 15 clients a month. However, with the recent opening of "GoodLife" down the block Alex found himself at a serious loss for money when it came time to pay rent.
Identification
Thats him! I swear!
Is this the man who robbed the store?
Desparate to keep his apartment, the easiest fix Alex could think of was to rob the local candy shop.
Choices
Alex decided to go through with his plan of robbery. He bolted in and out of the candy store and did what he thought was his only option. Little did he know, store clerks have 911 on speed dial...
Trial By Jury
Alex only managed to get a couple blocks before being caught by the police. He will have a tough decision to make in his holding cell with how we wishes to proceed with the upcoming trial. He will also need a lawyer. To say the least, this did not go as planned.
Who?
Since he was armed, Alex has been depicted as dangerous by the officer. Legally, Alex is allowed to call a lawyer as he is required to appear in court within 24 hours since he is not being let go. Alex calls the only attorney he knows, tells him exactly what happened, and proceeds learn his rights and plan accordingly.
How?
or
Alex's attorney Craig informs him that he has the choice of either trial by jury or trial by judge. Alex has no idea what either of them are or how they could affect his case. While Craig explains the two meathods of adjudication, the store clerk witness is brought into the station for identification.
Trial By Judge
Meanwhile in the station, the witness confirms that Alex was indeed the robber as he was the only one present at the scene of the crime. The clerk confirms from the mugshot that Alex is the correct suspect.
"Okay Alex, I need you to listen carefully as I explain the first meathod of adjudication, trial by jury. Try and visualize it as I take you through its process." Said Craig
"A jury makes a decision on the guilt or innocence of the plaintiff, which is you. The Jury directs/sways the actions of the judge. You are still entitled to having me in the court even with the Jury. Essentially, the Judge has the opinions of others to help make the final decision." Said Craig
"A jury is made up of a sworn body of 12 people convened to render an impartial verdict (neutral opinion). There is no way to be 100% certain that the jury is unbiased however, they are selected as reasonable people capeable of making intelligent decisions based on the evidence at hand." Anwered Craig
Who's in the Jury anyways?
"Well Alex, the Jury reaches a conclusion after hearing the case. The judge reads the jury instructions. Jury instructions are simplified explanations of the law that applies to the case. These instructions are given to prepare the jury to discuss the evidence and come to a conclusion about whether or not the plaintiff proved their case. " Said Craig
How does the Jury come to a conclusion?
"In trial by judge, one judge hears the case and determines the outcome based on the evidence set forth by the prosecutor and his witness, whom in this case would be the store clerk. Again, I will accompany you and vouch for you to the best of my ability"
Okay I get the gist of it. What about trial by judge?
The Other Side
Okay, But what about the plaintiff?
Evidence
The Viewing
Organizing Your Thoughts
Making a pros and cons chart will help!
Wow. I am a bit overwhealmed.
Trial By Jury - Pros
- I am being tried by my peers rather than a single judge, who may or may not be able to relate to your mu personal circumstances (not being able to make rent). - The Jury can interject my community norms and values into rigid judicial proceedings. -My fate is not solely in one person's hands. Every juror has an opportunity state their opinion rather than just one person making a decision based on what they think or how they feel that day. -The length and complexity of the Jury selection and Jury trials ensure the accuracy of the verdict. -A Jury has a sense of un-bias as they are not part of the justice system.
Trial By Jury - Cons
-There may be bias jurors who will purposely make an unfair decision. This is dishonest and biased towards me as the accused. -There could be racists or people against men in the Jury, both of which apply to me. -Jurors may be tempted to reach a quick verdict in order to get it over with and go home. -They can be easily influenced by the Plaintiff or Judge as previous legal knowledge is not required to be apart of a Jury. -The Jury could have an emotional responce to my case, I am looking for rational thinking without the clouding of emotions.
Alex is wondering about what the process is for the other side.
Trial By Judge Pros
-My Lawyer would only have to convince one other person that I am not guilty, rather than a whole Jury of people. -The Judge is trained to deal with legal situations. -Trial would definitly be over and done with sooner. -The Judge would have years of experience in the courtroom and dealing with legal matters. -Judges have to follow a Code of Judicial Ethics, a set of rules and regulations that a Jury would not have to follow
"In both trials, the prosecutor will have to present evidence that proves that you (the defendant) are guilty of the crime charged. The prosecutor will call the witnesses to testify and they must present any physical evidence, in this case probably security footage."
Trial By Judge Cons
-The Judge could be Bias. -Judge only has the opinion of themselves to make a final decision. My fate would be all in their hands.
In trial by jury, the judge and jury will use the evidence to make a decision. In trial by judge, soley the judge will examine the evidence at hand and decide.
What Will He Choose?
Is more the merrier truely the case here? A conflicted Alex has resorted to creating a pros and cons chart to help him make this life changing choice.
Alex records the Pros of going with "Trial By Jury"
Alex also Records the Cons
What would you decide?
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