Trial Tips

[nailit]

Have got a crown court trial coming up in 3 weeks for something which im innocent of. I have 2 policemen accusing me of something and 2 witnesses who state something quite different. By virtue of the fact that the police are uniformed people of the law I think that a jury would be more likely to believe them than my witnesses. (we all know the police dont tell lies....)Apart from the obvious (tell the truth, be polite etc) can anyone give me any tips on how to convince a jury of my innocence?

[TheHangman]

Jurors are not stupid, well not all of them, many have heard of the blind pensioner that was recently tasered and will now be a little more clued up. I'm not saying for one minute that its a forgone conclusion but I think you will have at least a 50/50 chance now. Good luck.

[Barmaid]

You do not have to be a QC for 10 years before application to the bench. You need a relevant legal qualification of 5 or 7 years. I know a local solicitor who became an extremely well respected Circuit Judge.

In a jury trial, the jury is the arbiter of fact; the Judge the arbiter of law. The Judge cannot simply "dismiss" evidence. He rules on its admissibility and can exclude evidence in certain circumstances. He can direct an acquittal for example after a successful submission of no case to answer. However, generally, the defendant is placed in the hands of the jury and it is the jury that the Prosecution has to persuade.

Personally, if New Judge advises on a criminal matter, I'd be inclined to accept that advice.