SMALLER JURIES AND NON-UNANIMITY - ANALYSIS AND PROPOSED REVISION OF THE OHIO JURY SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 38710
• Journal: University of Cincinnati Law Review Volume: 43 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 583-609
• Author(s): E H Siddens
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 27 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Cincinnati Law Review
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS NOTE EXAMINES THE EFFECT OF REDUCING THE SIZE OF JURIES AND ELIMINATING THE UNANIMITY REQUIREMENT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF OHIO'S JURY SYSTEM AS IT EXISTED IN 1974.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES US CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR JURY TRIALS AND THEIR APPLICABILITY TO THE STATES, INTERPRETATIONS OF JURY PROVISIONS IN OHIO'S CONSTITUTION, AND JUDICIAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS OF LESS THAN 12 MEMBER JURIES AND NONUNANIMOUS VERDICTS. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT DECREASED JURY SIZE AND NON-UNANIMITY SPEED UP THE TRIAL PROCESS AND LEAD TO BETTER RESULTS. HE RECOMMENDS AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION INCORPORATING THE BENEFITS OF JUDICIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY WHICH HE OBSERVED.