*
The Jury Bias Model
is a trademarked name

The backbone of the American civil justice system is the right to trial by a fair, unbiased jury of one's peers. The constitutional right to trial by jury has been hailed by our country's greatest minds, beginning with the architects of our democracy who signed the Declaration of Independence, and continuing throughout our Nation's history. From Thomas Jefferson to the great jurist Learned Hand to contemporary authors and intellectuals - since her birth, AmericaÕs patriarchs, statesmen and scholars have spoken eloquently of the precious right to a trial by jury.

 

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right... the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of other men and women... the spirit which weighs their interests alongside its own without bias...

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Second Circuit
Learned Hand "Spirit of Liberty" Speech - May 21, 1944

 

Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it... can even do much to help it...

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Second Circuit
Learned Hand "Spirit of Liberty" Speech - May 21, 1944

 

The spirit of liberty is the spirit of Him who, near 2,000 years ago, taught mankind... that there may be a kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Second Circuit
Learned Hand "Spirit of Liberty" Speech - May 21, 1944

 

I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system - that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.

Harper Lee, U.S. Author the character, Atticus Finch, in his speech to the jury "To Kill A Mockingbird"

 

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion.

Thomas Jefferson

 

"The Court's only armor is the cloak of public trust; its sole ammunition, the collective hopes of our society."

The Honorable Irving R. Kaufman Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit

 

"[The jury is] one of the principles [that] form the bright constellation which has gone before us, and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation."

Thomas Jefferson in his first Inaugural Address - March 4, 1801

 

"You will be the judges of fact. You are the sole and exclusive judges of what the truth is. You will bring with you here your common sense."

The Honorable Russell R. Leggett Westchester County Court Judge (To prospective jurors in the murder trial of Jean Harris - 1986)

 

 

 
 

 

 

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* The Jury Bias Model is a trademarked name