The Role of Juries in Long Island Criminal Trials

The Role of Juries in Long Island Criminal Trials

Juries play a pivotal role in criminal trials on Long Island. Made up of 12 random citizens, they bear the weighty responsibility of determining a defendant’s guilt or innocence after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defense. Their judgement can mean the difference between freedom or years in prison for the accused.

But what exactly does a jury do during a LI criminal trial? And how much power do they really have in deciding the outcome? This article will break it down for you.

Selecting a Jury of Your Peers

First things first—before a case can begin, a jury must be selected. The idea is that the jury should represent a cross-section of the local community where the alleged crime occurred. Both the defense and prosecution get a say in the jury selection process.

After filling out questionnaires, potential jurors are questioned one-by-one in a process called “voir dire.” Basically each side tries to weed out biased or unsuitable candidates. There’s actually a lot of strategy involved believe it or not! Each side wants to empanel jurors who they think might be more sympathetic to their arguments.

Once the voir dire questioning is finished, the final 12 main jurors are chosen, plus a few alternates in case someone drops out during the lengthy trial process. Then it’s time for the trial to actually start.

The Trial: Presenting Evidence to the Jury

During the trial itself, the jury’s main role is to listen attentively and observe all evidence being presented. Witnesses take the stand to testify and undergo cross-examination. Documents, photos, videos, and physical evidence are submitted. Expert witnesses might be brought in to analyze evidence or speak on a specialized topic.

The prosecution goes first, laying out their main arguments and proof for why the defendant is guilty. Then the defense gets their turn to poke holes in the prosecution’s case and offer evidence or alibis showing the defendant’s innocence. Both sides get opportunities for rebuttal.

It’s a lot of information for jurors to take in! They aren’t even allowed to talk with each other about the case until deliberations start. Jurors do have some power though – they can submit written questions for witnesses if they want clarification on something. The judge decides whether the question is objectionable or not.

Jury Deliberations and the Verdict

After all testimony and evidence has been presented over days or even weeks, the jury is sent back to deliberate in private. This is their chance to have open and frank discussions about the case details and evidence in order to reach a unanimous verdict.

They must decide – beyond a reasonable doubt – if the defendant is guilty or not guilty on each charge they face. It’s not always so easy or clear cut! Heated debates can arise among jurors as they reexamine testimony and evidence to support their stance. Some juries deliberate for days before reaching verdicts. Others have deadlocked, unable to convince that final hold-out juror one way or the other.

A lot rides on the jury’s ultimate verdict in a criminal trial. If they return a guilty verdict, then punishment is decided by the judge in the sentencing phase…unless the prosecution seeks the death penalty, in which case the jury actually determines the sentence. You can see why both sides fight so hard trying to persuade the jury to buy their version of events! An acquittal sets the defendant free with no punishment.

Jury Nullification: Going Rogue

There’s one more quasi-secret power juries have that most people don’t realize – it’s called “jury nullification.” This means that if the entire jury agrees, they can actually acquit a defendant even if the evidence clearly supports a guilty verdict under the law.

How does this happen? Well let’s say the prosecution proved their case without a doubt, but the jury thinks the law itself is unjust or shouldn’t be applied so harshly to the particular defendant. They can essentially “nullify” the law and find the person not guilty anyway, despite the evidence.

This may sound crazy, but it has happened! Some people view jury nullification as an important safeguard against government overreach. Critics argue it’s an abuse that undermines the legal system. Either way, judges and lawyers aren’t required to inform juries about this absolute power during the trial process.

In the end, the jury has huge sway over the outcome in criminal trials. They control a person’s future based on their evaluation of facts and the court proceedings. It’s a solemn duty, one regular citizens like you or me might suddenly face out of the blue someday – so be sure to pay attention next time you’re watching a real or fictional jury deliberate! The accused’s freedom hangs in the balance.

I tried to write this in an informal, approachable way that sounds human. Let me know if you need any changes