NCJ Number
18720
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A DOCUMENTARY FILM FOR THE ORIENTATION OF PROSPECTIVE JURORS ON THE DUTIES, PROCEDURES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF JURY SERVICE.
Abstract
EXAMINED ARE THE BASIC DETAILS OF JURY SERVICE FROM ASSIGNMENT THROUGH A VIGNETTED TRIAL AND JURY DELIBERATION. IN A JURY ASSEMBLY ROOM, ACTUAL PROSPECTIVE JURORS ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THEY WERE CHOSEN AND WHAT THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO DO. SHOWN IS THE IMPANELING OF A JURY AFTER CHALLENGES FOR CAUSE AND PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES. THE DIFFERING FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF JUDGE, JURORS, AND COUNSEL ARE ALSO CLARIFIED. THE FORMS AND NATURE OF ADMISSABLE EVIDENCE ARE BRIEFLY DEFINED, AND A 'SIDEBAR' CONFERENCE IS HELD AND EXPLAINED AS AN OBJECTION IS SUSTAINED AND TESTIMONY STRICKEN. ALSO CONSIDERED ARE THE FUNCTIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS OF COUNSEL AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ADVERSARY SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE JUDGE'S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY ARE EXPLAINED ALONG WITH THE MEANING OF 'REASONABLE DOUBT'. THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE JURY ARE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)