Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Thanks, Dale.
Is it only in certain types of trial that the jury sets the punishment, or does it happen in all trials in the US? It seems a little anomalous to someone from the UK, because in our system the only role of the jury is to decide whether the person on trial is guilty or innocent (or, in Scotland, the third verdict of "not proven"); if the person is found guilty, it's then always the judge who decides what the punishment will be.
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There is not a uniform method adopted on all states but in the states I have lived in the jury even determined the sentence on criminal cases within a set of guidelines given by the judge. Civil matters usually involve cash and again the judge provides guidelines but the jury doesn't have to follow them. Generally anytime the Jury seems out of line there is an appeal. The papers always report the big Jury awards but seldom report what was really paid.
Dale