The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-05-09
4 Lawyer OF IS Years
Experience Would
Abolish the Jury
His Ten Reasons for the Step Are
Traceabie 20 the One Great
Defect In System Which
Should Be Maintained.
IS years experience at the bar.


IS years experience at the bar.
In the American Law Review for MarcApr Mr. Greer sums
his objections the jury in criminal cases thus;
apply definitions OF crimes given
courts charge they understand them in
truth they understand them They believe their own
ideas are and they have right governed by
Second their emotions synpathes
and feelings giving interpretation putting themselves
place position contemplated by the
law good morals
Third ju corrupted through fear or worse
motives into returning verdcs defiance of law
Fouth prejudice figures largely verdc tramp or Paupef
is denied benefit of the doubt but wetodo citizen mas
to mo unreasonable lengths in his favor
Fifth method of selecting uries childish and puerie
enabling Influenced all questions
satisfactorily operating against the conscientious
admits he has formed opinion The latter the writer says
should no Objectionable than the trial judge
himself.
Sixth the whole effort of defendants
scienous feelings. emotions or sent
be appealed to.
Seventh the law recognizes that jury be Inn
properly influenced in that locks uries in felony cases
Eighth defendant make statements and agu
( appealing passions and prejudces of the jurors
directly oaths and acqut the defendant which they
would dare make to the trial judge.
Ninth science intended prevent crime
by fairly Justly reasonably furnishing those guilty OF its in
fraction for the theory that viii
mercfu learned in the law and capable OF
udicious analysis and application OF facts
Tenth strongest against the that instead
every offence being accurately defined and punished ues
continually adding destroying the certainty
punishment If known be fact that every crime
punished according definition there be no doubt
the salutay the OF jury verdict that
breeds criminal desire and anarchy.
Mr. Greer presents argument opposition trial by jury
that the time the right OF man to
judged by body granted by the trainers the
constitution
Trial by jury the only the Ameri
safeguarding his liberty his property and his equal
privilege share in the benefits of government
place in the hands of another sngy
dangerous would threaten his sacred right to that
Justice which can safely solely from PREPON
DERANcE of opinion the part of his fellow
mixed elements of justice to be found
group judges than alone for the court judge
only after ALL and reasonable declare susceptible
TO fraity is the layrnan the jury
What justice under the law and in the
mind of the judge would always conform to the
view of justice that occasions have been well
spilled by juries to the contrary of the written law
Il would seem that long experience the bar
him the defect in the
isysten, which, however, he omits
Trial by jury should to be the right OF the Ame
can citizen purpose of the will be
until system of selecting jurors emeded and the ma
tea for jury duty is available
uies losing for the state and the law and in
the verdict and others in mind that have been
in the local there to believe that this may
Ibe true is blameess in the matter?
II cannot in FIRST to
blame channels provided through which the class OF c-
preferred ures able that service
desirable juror eliminated by of the the
commissioners make the of the material remaining
for careful scrutnzng of than there has
past the end of getting intelligent jurors free of
questionable habits and environments
The proper jury duty is the who sought
than the who seeks the pay through the influence OF the
politician.
The greatest the part of these
important supplying with efficient for
service GO long toward the preservation of of
}he most conaendabe of the United
States built the principles of justice and liberty