The jury in the United States

its historical evolution and some reflections on its current state

Abstract

The article examines the historical evolution of the jury in the United States, starting from its remote origins in ancient Greece and Rome, passing through the medieval English jury and its reception in America, up to its current characteristics. It analyzes the jury selection process, the trial, the verdict and the hung jury phenomenon, highlighting the adversarial nature of the system, the judge's directive role and the unanimity requirement. It concludes that the American jury represents a form of citizen participation in the administration of justice, bringing the common man closer to the decision-making process and constituting a democratic experience, whose capacity to judge is affirmed by reasonable and non-arbitrary decision.