You're the Jury

Book excerpt: In the American judicial system, jurors hold an awesome responsibility. They have the power to grant millions of dollars in damages, to declare someone guilty or not guilty of a crime, and, in some states, to decide if another human being should live or die. The twelve real-life court cases presented here not only offer students a fascinating inside look at the court system, they give them the opportunity to step into the jury box and experience American justice in action. All the key factors of jury trials are discussed: expert witnesses, the allowance of certain kinds of evidence, claims of diminished capacity, and much more. Each case is followed by a series of interactive questions that test readers’ knowledge of the issues involved. And at the end of each chapter students will find out how the real jury decided—and why. As entertaining as it is educational, You’re the Jury offers a hands-on introduction to a unique aspect of the American legal system. Norbert Ehrenfreund has served as a judge for seventeen years in the Superior Court of California. Lawrence Treat is a founder and former president of the Mystery Writers of America, a three-time Edgar Allan Poe Award winner, and the author of the highly successful Crime and Puzzlement series.