Race and the jury

The jury is one of our most democratic institutions. A random sample of the community is asked to render an impartial verdict in a case after hearing evidence from both sides. The notion that ordinary men and women of good will can and will exercise good judgment is basic to our tradition of government by the people. Furthermore, a jury’s verdict is assumed to reflect the collective sentiments and conscience of the community and therefore carries a legitimacy that cannot be attained by experts, no matter how intelligent and skillful they may be.