Criminal justice systems vary around the world. But in many countries, for hundreds of years, people have faced trial by a jury of their peers. In England and Wales, a jury is a group of 12 members of the public who are called to sit as judges of fact in even the most serious criminal cases. Juries are presented with long-winded arguments by (generally) talented lawyers about the exact circumstances which may or may not have happened. They then have to answer one simple question: is the defendant on trial guilty or not?
High-profile cases may make one wonder just how juries reach their decisions. We can find a humorous answer in the case of Socrates. The ancient Greek philosopher was put on trial for “corrupting the minds of the youth” and brought before an ancient Athenian jury of around 500 people. It is said that Socrates launched a vigorous defence of himself before the jury returned a guilty verdict, at which point he supposedly insulted them. Unfortunately for him, the jury had not yet decided on the sentence and as a direct result of his insults they sentenced him to death.
