The Scottish Government issued this consultation document today which covers a number of issues relating to criminal juries in Scotland. These include: age limit; eligibility and excusal; exemption periods; compensation for jury service; jury size and trial without a jury.
“Jury service lies at the core of the Scottish criminal justice system. The principle that the guilt or innocence of the accused is determined by fellow citizens, drawn from across classes, cultures and occupations, is fundamental to our sense of justice. This Government seeks to uphold this principle: it is deeply entrenched in our tradition and values. At the same time, the jury system – the demands we place on jurors, the way we support and recompense them, and the way we administer the service – can and should be open to review.”
