Cotty wrote: > On 02/09/07, John Sessoms, discombobulated, unleashed: > >> And it's not uncommon for a jury to propose, and a judge to impose, >> punishment for things the defendant wasn't actually convicted of. That's >> the whole purpose of those charges that get dropped " late in the trial". >> > > The jury decides sentence?? Hole moly. We do things different here. The > judge decides. Besides, juries are notoriously fickle - if I was guilty, > I'd opt to be tried by a jury. If I was innocent, I would opt to be > tried by a just a judge.
Juries, as well as the prosecution and defense, may suggest sentences after conviction, but the Judge decides the actual sentence. The system is based on UK Common Law. As far as I'm aware, trial by jury is the only option for felony criminal trials in the US. Misdemeanors are typically trial by Judge. -Adam -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
