The difference is significant. Jurors have a unique role to play in the direction that our country goes legally, politically, socially, and economically. Jury verdicts, over a period of time, develop our common law. Juries are part of the fabric of our American way of life. They represent rule by common citizens rather than by some elite ruling class.
Juries are as much a part of our court system as are judges and lawyers.
The rich and the powerful are afraid of juries. No other nation makes such a complete affirmation of faith in its citizens as America does with its jury system. Nothing else brings home the uniqueness of being an American in quite the same way. We need to remind lay people that their jury system is a very important part of their self-government, and they should cherish it, protect it, and participate in it. We currently see considerable pressure by various special interest groups to eliminate or diminish our jury system.