• Godort@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    My understanding is that juries in America dont really deliberate on a verdict or a sentence. Thats up to the judge.

    Instead, I believe they’re presented with all the facts and arguments, then determine based on that information whether or not the the prosecution’s claims hold up.

    So its more of a “based on the facts you have been presented with, do you think the defendant did X”, rather than “should the defendant be punished for this crime?”

    Most Trump supporters understand that he’s a criminal, but believe that his actions are in service of the greater good. So in a situation like this the distinction between “do the facts line up” and “should he be punished” is an important one.

    • Got_Bent@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      I was on a jury in Texas in 2019 and we were tasked with both.

      First part: Based on the facts you have been presented, do you think defendant did X?

      If yes

      Second part: You have determined that defendant did X. Now determine the punishment

      That second part was by far the more difficult of the two