The functions of a juror are simple to describe. He or she must listen to and accurately remember each piece of evidence, consider how likely it is that something happened (using experience of everyday life), evaluate the credibility of any witnesses and then attach different levels of importance to pieces of evidence. Jurors must then work together as a group to compare the facts with the content of the judge’s instruction on the law before arriving at a verdict with the required majority. A recent high-profile trial, however, has raised concerns about whether jurors always perform to a high standard.
In March 2013, former Conservative MP, Chris Huhne, and his ex-wife, Vicky Pryce, were both sentenced to prison for 8 months for perverting the course of justice. Huhne pleaded guilty to asking Pryce, in 2003, to fraudulently accept speeding points for him. Pryce was also convicted of perverting the course of justice, despite stating that her ex-husband coerced her into accepting the points.
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