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Why do Western countries have jury duty? (multiverse.soulism.net)
submitted 1 month ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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All nations within the Anglosphere (US, UK, CA, AU & NZ) have JD imposed towards citizens. I know that the US & Canada both inherited that from Britain, which explains why they have it. However, should it be entirely only the judge making the conviction (some countries operate on a lay-judge system meaning juries aren't used, such as Finland or Japan for example) rather than leaving that decision up to jurors?

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[–] 0 points 1 month ago

A judge can also have biases, but they are supposedly at the very least a professional and an expert on the law, and are meant to act accordingly.

"Are meant to" and "supposedly" but unless there's a mechanism to hold them accountable those are just wishful thinking. And at a certain point you run into "who watches the watchman?" I don't have confidence in a jury to put aside bigotry but I don't have confidence in a judge to either.

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