Jury System Research Paper
Handout: The Jury System
I. Development / History
Frequently claimed that the right of a defendant to elect trial by jury is an ancient one, enshrined in Magna Carta. => In fact, there was no right to claim trial by jury until 1855.
Administration of Justice Act 1855 => Allowed justices (with the consent of the accused) to try various petty thefts.
The Summary Jurisdiction Act 1897 consolidated this earlier legislation, listing those indictable offences, which (with the defendant's consent) could be tried summarily.
Criminal Justice Act 1925 => Until this Act the list was increased. The Act contained a much more extensive list of offences, including: serious theft offences, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and certain
I. Development / History
Frequently claimed that the right of a defendant to elect trial by jury is an ancient one, enshrined in Magna Carta. => In fact, there was no right to claim trial by jury until 1855.
Administration of Justice Act 1855 => Allowed justices (with the consent of the accused) to try various petty thefts.
The Summary Jurisdiction Act 1897 consolidated this earlier legislation, listing those indictable offences, which (with the defendant's consent) could be tried summarily.
Criminal Justice Act 1925 => Until this Act the list was increased. The Act contained a much more extensive list of offences, including: serious theft offences, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and certain