Good Moral Values

[Yonkey]

I think it has to be unanimous.  At least, from all the movies I've seen they always seem that way.

But for cases taken before the Supreme Court, the judges deciding don't have to be unanimous.  The majority rules (since there's always an odd number of judges).

[Jeysie]

Wikipedia to the rescue!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_trial

Peace & Luv, Liz

[copycat]

Our court system is based on the French one:

Juries are used in the assize courts that judge severe crimes such as murder, rape, acts of barbary (torture) and crimes against humanity (in practice, most of the cases judged are s). The jury is made of 9 lay jurors in first instance and 12 on appeal, supplemented with 3 professional judges. It judges first on the guilt of the accused, then on the appropriate penalty,

The jury doesn't need to reach a unanimous verdict, although when there's a difference of only 1 vote (there's an odd number of people in the jury) on a certain charge, the professional judges have the deciding vote on that charge. Also, when the penalty is discussed, the jury decides that together with the judges, whereas on the verdict the jury decide themselves (on most of the charges).

[Storm]

AFAIK, our court system is based on the British system - the lawyers and judges wear robes, but not those silly wigs

[Oldbushie]

Yay for silly wigs! *wears one*