Jury size and unanimity rules vary widely across the states.

Evidence

(9-3) verdicts in criminal cases, although 7 years later, it held that a six-member jury could convict a defendant only by unanimous vote.7? These rulings encouraged previously reluctant states to modify their jury systems. Currently, 22 states use juries of fewer than 12 to try civil cases, 24 states use them to try misdemeanors, but 43 states continue to employ 12-member juries in felony cases.*4 Critics of the changes in jury size and decision rules have argued that the changes affect jury deliberations and the outcome of cases. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1425

Categorization

• XREF: Illustrates federalism and the minimum-contacts-style patchwork the course contrasts with uniform federal procedure. — connects to: The Supreme Court allows states to use juries smaller than twelve and nonunanimous verdicts. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 873; Criminal jury verdicts require unanimity in nearly all states — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law: An Introduction, 838

Broader Connections

• Criminal jury verdicts require unanimity in nearly all states #contradicts (1.00) — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law, 838