MovieChat Forums > Bull (2016) Discussion > Question about jury system

Question about jury system

posted 8 years ago by vink0286
3 replies | jump to latest

I am not an American so all the knowledge I know about the American justice system is what I have seen and heard on TV.

I always thought that the jury, to confict someone, had to be unanimous. So if only one jurymember voted not guilty the accused would have to be let go. Please correct me if I am wrong.

In the last epidose (5) 9 jurymembers where already on the side of the accused. Why are the bothering with the remaining 3? Yes I get that it is not sure that they will vote innocent.

Anyone?

We Don't Take No *beep* From A Machine!!

[–] klibby716 8 years ago

For a criminal trial, it takes a unanimous jury to convict. However, if there is not a unanimous vote to acquit, then the prosecutor can bring a new trial and try to convict again. In most cases, the person is convicted in the second trial because the prosecutor has seen the arguments and evidence of the defense and can respond to them.

[–] seldon913 8 years ago

Not just that, but with the prosecutor knowing what the defense has, he's only going to bring the new trial if he's confident he'll win it. If he doesn't think he'll win he's not going to try again. The problem for the defendant in this case is that he hasn't been cleared either which can hamper his ability to interact with people and get employment. I believe there's also the possibility that until the statute of limitations runs out he could be retried at any time (I'm not sure how that would affect things like travel).

[–] vink0286 8 years ago

Thank you both.

We Don't Take No *beep* From A Machine!!