'Civil' Participation in Trials' is a trial by jury system that started January 2008. The nations selected randomly as juries have a chance to participate in trials and to find somebody guilty or innocent and to have a discussion about proper punishment for the defendant. Many people say, "Court?" "Trial?" "This kind of affair has no connection with me as an ordinary person!" Is business?
On August 31st, a trial about an attempted robbery took place in Seoul Central District Court at 11 a.m. The opening of the trial starred with an oath that the national jury would judge objectively. After the presiding judge explained the role of the jury and judiciary proceedings, the real trial started.
The incident that occurred that day was as follows. The defendant trespassed on company property where he had worked before because of hardships of life. The defendant entered the chairperson's office through the window of washroom, but he was discivered a security company. He ran away in a hurry so as not to be captured by the security guards. In the process, the defendant brandished a weapon in order to avoid arrest and he assaulted one of the security guards. However, although the defendant accepted his crime, he denies the fact that he swung a weapon at the security guards. Ultimately, the major issue of this trial is whether the defendant brandished a weapon or not.
After the explanation of the incident, the public prosecutor and attorney explained the core argument and corroborative plan to the jury. The presentation of evidence was done and witnesses
Next was the jury's discussion about the defendant's guilt or innocence and the discussion of punishment. The presiding judge kindly explained what they would be doing from now on and announced a preliminary juror from among the eight members of the jury. The preliminary juror is the person who is selected to prepare for the situation when some part of the jury cannot perform their duties. There are no differences in rights or dudes between them. However the preliminary juror cannot participate in the discussion and examination of the prosecutor. The discussion between the jury wrnt on for two house.
After the of the discussion, everybody came back to the court. The representative of the jury delivered the verdict document and the written outcome of discussion to the presiding judge. The jury's verdict only has exhortative effectiveness, so there is no need to follow it. The jury gave the defendant a guilty verdict and decided a proper sentence. The presiding judge also judged the defendant guilty and sentenced him under the discussion q|the jury. This trial was over after 9p.m.
By Ahn Na-ri CP Reporter
ahn-nari@cnu.ac.kr