Forensics Journal - Stevenson University 2010 | Page 22

STEVENSON UNIVERSITY

Of course, professional jurors must be funded. Monies currently
used to pay jurors for their service could be reallocated to pay professional jurors, as could some portion of taxes paid. In addition, if
fewer people are wrongly convicted because of the implementation
of a more competent jury system, millions of incarceration dollars
would be saved. In addition, the rate of financial settlements to those
who are proven to be wrongly convicted would dramatically decrease.
With the current state of the economy, however, it is very unlikely
that Americans would be willing to sacrifice established programs and
already-allotted funds in order to create this new system.

Bradley, K. W., & Phillipson, G. (2008, Fall). The court of public
opinion: the practice and ethics of trying cases in the media. Law
and Contemporary Problems, 71(4), 1-201. Retrieved from Academic
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Buckley, W. F., Jr. (1997, May 5). Any prospect for jury reform?
National Review, 49(8), 63. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier
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Cost of living in Maryland. (n.d.). Maryland Department of Business
& Economic Development [Fact sheet]. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from
http://www.choosemaryland.org/factsandfigures/qualityoflife/costoflivingoverview.htm

More important than how these funds are generated, is that they need
to be generated; it is past time for America to begin to consider jury
duty a service that is not simply mandatory, but one that is held in
high esteem and one that the government and the people are willing to make sacrifices to create and support. Although the process
of implementing this type of jury system would be a slow and arduous one, as issues are ironed out and the level of effectiveness, fiscal
feasibility, and usefulness are assessed and increased, the benefits that
would be reaped by each citizen of America, and America as a whole,
would far outweigh the sacrifices necessary in order to become much
closer to creating a system that truly dispenses “justice for all.

Dorr, L. L. (2004). White women, rape, and the power of race in Virginia, 1900-1960. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=
mq06NDClzZUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=White+women,+rape,+
and+the+power+of+race+in+Virginia&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Featured Documents: The Manga Carta. (n.d.). National Archives &
Records Administration [Archives & Records]. Retrieved February 4,
2009, from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documen