Why Are Jury Trials Important?
In front of a jury all people are equal. The lowliest individual can sue the mightiest corporation and in front of a jury those two parties are considered to be equal. As a practical matter, we know that they may not be equal because a large corporation can obviously afford to hire typically a better attorney than can the lowliest individual. If however that lowly individual is represented by a competent attorney, then that can level the playing field and that individual will not only have his day in court but may well be the prevailing party in front of a jury.
As such, the jury trial system as it exist in this country is important to our democratic process and any attempt to restrict the power of the jury is something that should be fought.
Although we live in a democracy there are very few forums where you can actually say that all people are equal. That can be said in the context of a jury trial.
See Brien Roches book Law 101 published by Sphinx Publishing for more information on this subject.
