I heard a debate on the radio where a distinguished black lawyer stated he believed it should be considered that black or gay jurors should be appointed in cases where the defendant was black or gay?

What do you think of this idea?

I think it's totally bonkers. You could apply this to any minority group. The jurors are chosen at random and this is how it should stay IMO. Anything else could open up doors to jury rigging.

Lickszz!
A Mod with whom I agree!
I love you Lickszz:thumbsup:

You might as well have whole burgler led juries for burglars
etc etc

Ridiculous idea! :mad:

In this day and age, we are supposed to be embracing diversity, and the integration of different lifestyles and backgrounds into out communities; not creating prejudice and segregation!

Rant over!

K x

Stupid idea.
The only requirement should be that the jurors show no particular bias or ism against the group the accused belongs too.

Ergo if the defendant is non-gay or non-black the jury should be non-gay or non-black.

That's just not going to work

Originally posted by Lickszz
I heard a debate on the radio where a distinguished black lawyer stated he believed it should be considered that black or gay jurors should be appointed in cases where the defendant was black or gay?

What do you think of this idea?


Thats mad, how are they going to find these people, will they have a database of who is gay or will they just pick 2000 people at random and hope 12 of them are gay, and what if they say they are gay but they arn't, will they have to prove it by singinging a medley of show songs or co-ordinating a cushion/curtain/rug combo ?

poppycock.

Absolutely ridiculous, IMO.

Could I please be tried by a jury who hate marmite too since they're the only ones who will understand my socio-economic position.

Originally posted by Lickszz
I think it's totally bonkers. You could apply this to any minority group.

I agree. Imagine if a white and hetrosexual defendant requested an all white all hetrosexual jury, they would probably get charged with racism and homophobia too.

i take it he was the defence lawyer. I can understand that from his point of view a jury that can sympatise with the defendant would be ideal in getting them off. Still i totally agree with everyone else on here. A jury is set to represent the people thats why we are trialed by our peers. It should show a cross section of society.

If i ever have to go on trial *touch wood* i hope i get this guy and he demands all white females in their 20's with a borderline mental scary obsession with Robbie Williams. I'll be laughing all the way !!!

Originally posted by Lickszz
The jurors are chosen at random and this is how it should stay IMO.

Are jurors chosen at random? I thought the defence and prosecution lawyers chose from a juror pool and tried to have as many jurors likely to favour their candidate as possible.

Or is this just the Michael Jackson trial??

Originally posted by Disco_Cat
Are jurors chosen at random? I thought the defence and prosecution lawyers chose from a juror pool and tried to have as many jurors likely to favour their candidate as possible.

Or is this just the Michael Jackson trial??

Thats just in the US I think, when I was on jury service you just got picked at random.