Law Week tribute to Queensland jurors

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today paid tribute to the thousands of men and women who give their time each year to serve on Queensland juries.

Mr Shine said jurors made the most important decision in any court case – determining whether or not the defendant was guilty or, in civil trials, who was at fault.

“Over the past 12 months, some 18,920 Queenslanders gave their time to attend jury service in a Supreme or District Court and 6,845 of them served as jurors,” he said.

Mr Shine said the importance of being a jury member would be highlighted in today’s online discussion forum hosted by the Sheriff of Queensland, Neil Hansen, on the Get Involved website at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au as part of Law Week celebrations from 12 to 19 May.

“The right of trial by jury is founded on the belief that everyone has a right to be tried by their equals, rather than by their rulers,” Mr Shine said.

“The jury still plays a pivotal role in the criminal justice system today and members accept a weighty responsibility in applying their wealth of human experience and common sense to the task of reaching a verdict.

“Participating in a trial also offers jurors a unique insight into how our courts work, as well as providing a vital community service.”

Mr Shine said prospective jurors were selected randomly from the electoral roll and this initial pool was then reduced through a careful selection process until members were formally empanelled, with 12 jurors required for criminal trials and four in civil cases.

“Some people are ineligible for jury service, including members of parliament, police officers and convicted criminals,” he said.

“Men and women who are over 70 years of age are relieved of eligibility for jury service, unless they notify the Sheriff of their wishes to the contrary.

“Most trials in the District Court take three or four days and an average trial in the Supreme Court takes more than a week.”

17 May 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au