NCJ Number
101758
Date Published
1985
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Commonwealth Trial Court and U.S. District Court records and other official information sources were used to examine the operation of the jury system in the Northern Mariana Islands between 1978 and mid-1982.
Abstract
During this time, the 2 courts combined heard 37 criminal jury trials: 18 for violent offenses, 8 for property offenses, and 11 for other violations. A majority of violent and property crimes resulted in convictions, while acquittals were more common in the 'other' category. Among jurors, the most commonly represented ethnic groups were Chamorros and Carolinians. The majority of jurors were between 18 and 30 years old, with female jurors in this age range slightly outnumbering males. All jury cases but one had six-person juries. Juror fees and mileage compensation for these cases amounted to $28,163.66. Violent offenses and cases resulting in convictions were most costly. A comparison with the 106 nonjury trials held over the same period indicates that nonjury trials are more likely to involve property crimes, to result in convictions, and to involve negotiated pleas. Overall, results suggest that jury trials can work in the Northern Mariana Islands. Appended charts provide additional information on trials in the two court systems.