At one time South Africa was seen as having the best legal system in the world. I imagine it is one of the worst now.
Many years ago, F. Lee Bailey said the military system of justice is better. When asked how, he said they are more likely to find the guilty, guilty and the innocent, not guilty. My JAG Colonel nephew agrees with that.
Despite all the Arlen Spector jokes I like the Scottish system. They have three possible verdicts. Not Guilty, which means they don’t think you did it: Not Proven Guilty: which means the jury thinks you did it but there was no enough evidence to convict.
The other is Not Guilty and we really think you didn’t do it. Sort of a clearing of your name.
For those like me who don't trust the government that is the best system...
It’s the best legal system in the world if one is guilty.
Yes, it’s the best legal system in the world. At the very least, one of the best. Which makes it even more important to identify situations when the system drops a turd and recognize them for exactly what they are. This verdict is a turd. It’s a valid verdict...but it’s still a turd. I think we do neither ourselves or the system any favors by pouring chocolate syrup on the turd, putting ice cream on the side and pretending it’s a volcano cake.
I submit that jurors be given an objective test on deliberation procedures before they can be placed on the jury. The test should be no more difficult than a simple written drivers license test.
Some of the areas covered could include requiring them to observe the evidence, take notes and not dress up on the second day /s.