Juries

Question 1

What is a jury

Answer 1

A jury is made up of 12 people aged **between 18 and 75 **chosen at random from the local electoral roll

Question 2

Under the Criminal Justice and Court Act provisions inserted into the Juries Act 1974, jurors can be prosecuted if they

Answer 2

• Carry out research (including online) on a case on which they are sitting.
• Reveal anything about jury room deliberations.
• Visit the scene of the crime unless at the direction of the court.
• Attempt to contact the defendant (in person or on social media for example)
• Attempt to communicate with witnesses.

Question 3

Juries Act 1974 Section 20 (D)

Answer 3

• This says jury deliberations in civil or criminal cases are secret
• For inquests this falls under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Question 4

Juries Act 1974 Section 20 (D)

It is an offence of contempt of court if journalists seek or disclose information
about:

Answer 4

• Statements made
• Opinions expressed
• Arguments advanced
• Votes cast by members of a jury
  It is okay to publish their general impressions of jury service.
• Jurors can also be prosecuted for contempt if they share detail about their deliberations

Question 5

Juries Act 1974 Section 20 (D)

It is common law contempt to ID a juror in the media
(TRUE/FALSE)

Answer 5

TRUE

Question 6

Juries Act 1974 Section 20 (D)

Juries are rarely used in civil cases but can be used in:

Answer 6

• Defamation
• False imprisonment
• or malicious prosecution cases

Question 7

Punishment for breaching Juries Act 1974 Section 20 (D)

Answer 7

A fine or up to two years in jail

Question 8

Under S20 (D) of the Juries Act, simply the act of publishing a juror’s thoughts or trying to find them out is enough to be
prosecuted as a journalist. (TRUE/FALSE)

Answer 8

TRUE