What is the role of the jury in criminal cases?

In criminal cases in the state of Washington, the role of the jury is to evaluate and decide factual issues. The jury is responsible for deciding the guilt or innocence of the accused. A jury consists of 12 people who are selected from the community, who are impartial and free from bias. Jury members are expected to pay close attention to the evidence presented and to apply the law as directed by the judge. A jury must reach a unanimous verdict in order to convict an accused person. If the jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision, a hung jury is declared and the case ends in a mistrial. When evaluating evidence, jurors must consider only facts that are established in court. For example, if an accused person has a previous criminal record, this information cannot be considered by the jury in making a decision, unless it is entered as evidence in the trial. In some cases, a jury may be asked to determine the sentence of the accused. This is known as a sentencing jury and they are separate from the jury that determines guilt or innocence. A sentencing jury will consider factors such as the criminal history of the accused and the seriousness of the crime. In summary, the role of the jury in criminal cases in Washington is to evaluate the evidence presented and to decide the guilt or innocence of the accused. The jury may also be asked to determine the sentence of the accused in some cases. It is important for the jury to remain impartial and unbiased during deliberations in order to ensure a fair trial for the accused.

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What is the role of the jury in criminal cases?

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