Book contents
- ASCL Studies In Comparative Law
- Juries, Lay Judges, and Mixed Courts
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Editors
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- Part I Advances in Lay Participation
- Part II Enduring Systems of Lay Participation
- Part III Challenges to Lay Participation in Law
- 10 Dismissing the Jury
- 11 Trials by Peers
- 12 The Russian Jury Trial
- 13 Trial by Jury in Georgia
- Part IV Global Perspectives on Lay Participation
- Name Index
- Subject Index
- References
13 - Trial by Jury in Georgia
A Catalyst for Evolving Independent Courts
from Part III - Challenges to Lay Participation in Law
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 August 2021
- ASCL Studies In Comparative Law
- Juries, Lay Judges, and Mixed Courts
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Editors
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- Part I Advances in Lay Participation
- Part II Enduring Systems of Lay Participation
- Part III Challenges to Lay Participation in Law
- 10 Dismissing the Jury
- 11 Trials by Peers
- 12 The Russian Jury Trial
- 13 Trial by Jury in Georgia
- Part IV Global Perspectives on Lay Participation
- Name Index
- Subject Index
- References
Summary
As trial by jury is expanding across Georgia and covering more types of crimes, one question is gaining increasing importance – whether Georgians fully understand the reform, which to this point has expanded to seven cities and covers nearly 30 crimes in the Criminal Code. Without a well-informed public, progress of the reform will likely face serious challenges, such as citizens’ reluctance to participate, lengthy and costly selection procedures, and increased public support for the political opposition to the reform. Jury reform also remains a politically challenging process. Government support remains weak, exacerbated by skepticism from the courts. As a result, the reform is poorly funded and few, if any, efforts are made to educate the public. Furthermore, the jury receives little attention in the curriculum of Georgian law schools. The media is still not prepared for informed coverage of actual trials and is easily manipulated by opponents of the reform. This chapter addresses these and other problems faced by the Georgian jury and discusses risks that can hamper the development of the institution and discredit its value in the eyes of the public.
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- Juries, Lay Judges, and Mixed CourtsA Global Perspective, pp. 261 - 282Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021