Synopses & Reviews
Finalist, 1995 Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Current Interest Category
Review
Anyone tempted to ridicule juries...should read Jeffrey Abramson's profound and eloquent defense of the American jury system...Mr. Abramson has faith in juries because they are a form of democratic justice. He describes in fascinating detail how democracy in America has developed over the years in tandem with the jury system. The Economist
Review
Power to the persuasive! That's the message of Jeffrey Abramson's incisive, thoroughly researched, demanding book about the role of the jury in American democracy... At a rare moment when the media have whetted the public appetite for commentary about the jury, of all things, a fresh, substantial [book] has come along. Washington Post Book World
Synopsis
In a new preface to this foundational book on the American jury, Abramson responds to his critics, defends his views on the jury as an embodiment of deliberative democracy in action, and reflects on recent jury trials and reforms.
Description
Includes bibliographical references and index.
About the Author
Jeffrey Abramson is Professor of Government and Law and Fellow of the Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Centennial Chair in Government, The University of Texas at Austin.
University of Texas at Austin
Table of Contents
Preface, 2000
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I: DEMOCRATIC KNOWLEDGE
1.Juries and Local Justice
2. Juries and Higher Justice
PART II: DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATION
3. Jury Selection and the Cross-Sectional Ideas
4. Scientific Jury Selection
PART III: DEMOCRATIC DELIBERATION
5. The Unanimous Verdict
6. Race and the Death Penalty
Conclusion
Appendix
Notes
Index