NCJ Number
11901
Journal
St John's Law Review Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: (MAY 1973) Pages: 615-633
Date Published
1973
Length
19 pages
Annotation
PRESENTATION OF NEW YORK LEGAL GUIDELINES ON SIZES OF JURIES, AND A DISCUSSION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO THE JURY SIZE ARGUMENT.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE SUPREME COURT HAS HELD JURIES OF LESS THAN TWELVE TO BE CONSTITUTIONALLY PERMISSIBLE, THE NEW YORK CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THAT TWELVE PERSONS MUST SIT ON JURIES FOR TRIALS OF FELONIES. A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ALLOW A SMALLER JURY. THE ARTICLE ARGUES THAT A REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF JURIES WOULD SAVE BOTH TIME AND MONEY, AND THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS INDICATE THAT A SIX MEMBER JURY WOULD ACTUALLY PRODUCE A SUPERIOR AND MORE PERMANANT CONSENSUS.