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Period: Jan 1, 1066 to Dec 1, 1215
Pre-Jury Beginnings
Before formal juries were established, King Henry II utilized a group of 12 men that used prior knowledge to draw conclusions on a case. The premature jury was expected have preexisting knowledge about the case beforehand. -
Period: Jan 1, 1216 to Dec 31, 1453
More Power to the Jury
In 1215 juries were able to directly influence the final of verdict the accused. By the 15th centruy juries were also able to hear evidence for the case during the trial. The most common penalty for crimes during this time period was death. Juries would tend to acquit a felon unless he or she was very controversial and unliked by the majority. -
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Navigation Acts and its Effects
The Navigation Act was an act declared by the British on the colonies, enforcing control on trade between the colonies. The colonies did not agree with this act, and as a result, would refuse to convict felons charged with breaking these laws. In response the British created special courts which did not utilize a jury system. This was part of the fuel to the fire towards the American Revolution, and was reflected in the Declaration of Independence against the British King. -
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First formal Grand Juries
First formal Grand Jury was established by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635. Grand Juries (of some form) established in all colonies by 1683. -
Rebellion of Unjust Law in Acquittal of Zenger
John Peter Zenger was acwuited by a jury after printing articles against an unpopular governor. This was an early case of a jury fighting against an unjust conviction. -
The Seventh Amendment
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, then according to the rules of the common law. --Thomas Jefferson -
Blacks Legally Allowed in Jury
African-Americans are legally allowed to serve on juries. -
First State to Allow Women on Jury
Utah is the first state to allow women on a jury. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act allowed women the right to serve on federal juries. -
Women Allowed to Serve in Juries in all 50 States
Women were then able to serve on a jury in all 50 states. -
OJ Simpson Case
OJ Simpson was convicted of murdering Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. OJ Simpson was believed to be acquitted due to a predominantly black jury. -
California's Sentencing Guidelines are Considered Unconstitutional
The Governor's Office had published five flaws in California's sentencing guidelines. Lethal injection adminstrators were not properly trained resulting in several botched executions.
