Law Commons^™

Why, after more than two centuries of study and consideration by the courts and legal scholars alike, does the debate over the impeachment of jury verdicts persist? The problem is not one susceptible to an easy solution. If we lived in a perfect world, fair and impartial juries would be selected; they would listen to the evidence, retire to the jury room, discuss the evidence rationally in a cordial manner, follow the court's instructions, reach a just and logical verdict, accurately report that verdict and be excused. Unfortunately, a myriad of problems can develop during this process, for example, a …