A jury essay
A jury refers to a sworn group of individuals selected to provide an impartial verdict as directed by the court. They are also mandated to issue a judgment or set penalty. The jury usually listens to the evidence, which helps them to form a basis they will use to provide a logical decision. In the past, people of color were not allowed to be part of the jury pool, thus affecting the way black defendants were judged and the constitutional process of the justice system.
Historically, people of color, as well as other minority groups, were not allowed to be part of the jury. Therefore, there has been significant concern regarding the validity of only having one race to be part of the jury. Black people were not included as jurors because it was perceived that they were not intelligent and lacked the moral stature and experience to be part of the group (256). For this reason, the U.S. Supreme Court helped in the realization of the Equal Protection Clause to help curb the discrimination facing African Americans, particularly in the judicial system. Even though black people were allowed to be part of the jury pool, there were restrictions imposed to deter people who did not meet specific characteristics from taking part in the jury, including social status, profession, and religion.
The historical information provided concerning race-based jury exclusion is exceptionally fundamental and applicable in the present-day United States because it allows for a credible scenario of how the justice system was in the past. America being a diverse nation, the data helps in knowing what was wrong and forming guidelines and laws to ensure such a form of discrimination and prejudice does not occur again. Having a diverse jury pool is essential in the delivery of justice in the country. The U.S. has made significant amendments over the years in its constitution, focusing on inclusion and equality of all people to create a more diverse atmosphere. However, the country is still struggling with issues of racism and discrimination. Therefore, it is essential to consider the aspect of diversity in the criminal justice sector to inspire equality and discourage discrimination.