The Historical Background

Juries and Their Legal Rights

When you finished reading our current editorial, on fully informed juries, how did you feel?

A little angry, or powerless? Then keep reading. Juries' legal rights have been under attack for a long time, and the most successful defenders of those rights have been individuals who felt a little angry, or perhaps powerless.

Look what they made happen! History shows a number of exciting and inspiring cases where justice was served even when it conflicted with mankind's laws.

For a short history of jury rights and attempts to crush those rights, your best source is probably the Fully Informed Jury Association's summary.

For another short history, covering different jury-related events, try this.

If and when you serve on a jury, you will be better-informed and better-empowered. Just what a democracy needs!