Welcome to the forum thread for "The Right to a Jury Trial," the Justice Talking show for the week of May 5 - 11, 2008.

The right to a trial by a jury is guaranteed to criminal defendants by the Sixth Amendment. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial to federal civil cases such as car accidents, contract disputes between corporations, and most discrimination or employment disputes. But there are many questions about how the system works. Who shows up to serve? Is there racial or other bias in the selection process or in jury deliberations? Is this system fair and effective?

Please post your comments on this Justice Talking issue using this thread.

Thanks for your participation!

Annie Juergens Behr
Outreach Coordinator