Letter: Blame judges, not juries

Wednesday 02 October 1996 23:02 BST

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Sir: Glenda Cooper ("Twelve confused men and women", 30 September) advocates removal of the jury system unless jurors can comprehend the meaning of two basic tenets of our criminal law system, namely the effect of good character and the meaning of reasonable doubt. This is an argument for the removal of judges who have not the capacity to explain sufficiently such basic and simple concepts to a jury.

The rest of the article sets out excellent reasons why juries must remain, but potential jurors should be treated with more respect and not just paid court to when they are in the course of trying a case.

MICHAEL BECKMAN QC

Lincoln's Inn

London WC2

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Letter: Blame judges, not juries

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