Denton Criminal Lawyer

Juries and Criminal Trials

Juries are a fundamental part of democracy and government in the United States. They allow average, everyday citizens to become involved in the judicial system and foster a greater public awareness of the law. Many people have emphasized the significance of the jury in another way as well, including the empathy the jury can feel for criminal defendants and the lighter sentences that result.

The reasoning behind this significance of the judiciary follows a simple path. It is reasoned that judges, alone and presiding over the court, are more detached from the proceedings and do not relate to either party, especially to the criminal defendant. Consequently, the detached judges simply apply the law to the circumstances and the give defendant whatever punishment he is due.

On the other hand, the reasoning goes, juries are more empathetic, and possibly even sympathetic to criminal defendants in all but the most heinous criminal cases. Because jurors are selected from among the common population, it is believed that they can better relate to the defendant then can the judge. Because of this, jurors are more willing to acquit defendants or to give them lighter sentences than what a judge would have given.

Although many people accept this belief without question, some have chosen to explore it to find out the truth. In fact, several studies have been conducted to find out the truth. These studies have found, interestingly, that juries on the whole are fair and give appropriate sentences. That is, juries and judges often agree about what sentences should be given to criminal defendants. The findings reveal that juries on the whole do not “go light” on criminal defendants.

Contact a Denton Criminal Defense Attorney

These findings are very important. They reveal that people accused of crimes should not rely on juries to help them out. Ultimately, criminal defendants need excellent criminal defense attorneys to fight for them. If you have been convicted of a crime, you will need a strong defense team.

The Denton criminal lawyer of Alexander & Associates will provide strong defense skills and experiences needed to win in court. For more information, contact us by calling 972-420-6560.