So another multi-million dollar trial collapses because of a mistrial related to the jury system. Can anyone give me any good reason – other than “tradition” [cue Fiddler On The Roof music] – for requiring unanimity in juries? For most (?all) trials in the UK, they moved to a 10-2 majority requirement years ago. Requiring 12-0 means that you are at the mercy of jury tampering or the wacko who wants to play Henry Fonda in Twelve Angry Men. It’s much harder to intimidate or bribe three jurors than one…..
I’ll make an exception for capital cases, although since I’m opposed to capital punishment on principle, this exception is more tactical than anything else.
Legislate 10-2 juries in every state and at the Federal level; those who vote against it can pay for the mistrials!