Explanation?

Trial Judges

Trial judge's role varies depending on the presence or absence of a jury during civil suits, criminal cases, and family law cases. If there's no jury, the judge determines the facts, interpret the law, apply the law to the facts of the case, and makes the ultimate decision. Judges help promotes individual rights, fairness, and opportunity for both sides to present their case. Judges provide reasons for their decisions with an explanation either oral or written. Explanation may be presented the day of or at a later date. In the presence of a jury, the judge ensures proper evidence is heard for jury to believe.

The Jury

The jury consists of 12 members who are selected randomly and are qualified voters in the county or city where the trial court is located. One is selected as a foreman of the jury by the members of the jury before the case starts. The jury is not required in majority of civil cases such as personal injuries actions and family law cases, because the judge decides the final verdict. "The jurors are charged with the responsibility of deciding whether, on the facts of the case, a person is guilty or not guilty of the offence for which he or she has been charged" (Role of the Jury, 2021). Jurors may take notes throughout all stages of the trial and is able to pass notes to the foreman to ask the judge for further explanation on the case. At the end of the trial, the jurors are given statements of issues that the jury must consider when reaching its verdict. Criminal cases must be a unanimous verdict. However, the jury has no role in sentencing. The decision is up to the judge.

References

Role of Judges. (n.d.). Retrieved from PLEA - Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan: https://www.plea.org/courts-legal-system/judges/the-role-of-judges

Role of the Jury. (2021, May 10). Retrieved from Citizens information: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/courtroom/jury.html