http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/14/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups/ now with extra source Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:04:22 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/14/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups/#comment-12565 Carl Mather Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-12565 re; trial by jury.<br />I think the point has been missed that its a jury of peers. If they fail to fully understand complexities in the trial, this problem is attributable to counsel and judge. Their job is to make it understandable to the peers of the mug in the dock. Walt Hawtins idea only furthers elitism here. What about all those people who aren't educated to Uni degree level? Who are their peers? Who understands their situation? A random mix, albeit from electoral rolls which is far from complete, of people from all levels is the intent, to at least try to keep some fairness in judgement. I'd rather face them than judges and lawyers insulated from the world I live in and whose primary interest is the law, not justice. re; trial by jury.
I think the point has been missed that its a jury of peers. If they fail to fully understand complexities in the trial, this problem is attributable to counsel and judge. Their job is to make it understandable to the peers of the mug in the dock. Walt Hawtins idea only furthers elitism here. What about all those people who aren’t educated to Uni degree level? Who are their peers? Who understands their situation? A random mix, albeit from electoral rolls which is far from complete, of people from all levels is the intent, to at least try to keep some fairness in judgement. I’d rather face them than judges and lawyers insulated from the world I live in and whose primary interest is the law, not justice.

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