Democracy in the Courts

Lay Participation in European Criminal Justice Systems

Marijke Malsch author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:12th Jun '09

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Democracy in the Courts cover

Democracy in the Courts examines lay participation in the administration of justice and how it reflects certain democratic principles. An international comparative perspective is taken for exploring how lay people are involved in the trial of criminal cases in European countries and how this impacts on their perspectives of the national legal systems. Comparisons between countries are made regarding how and to what extent lay participation takes place and the relation between lay participation and the legal system's legitimacy is analyzed. Presenting the results of interviews with both professional judges and lay participants in a number of European countries regarding their views on the involvement of lay people in the legal system, this book explores the ways in which judges and lay people interact while trying cases, examining the characteristics of both professional and lay judging of cases. Providing an important analysis of practice, this book will be of interest to academics, legal scholars and practitioners alike.

'Democracy in the Courts explores issues critical to confidence in criminal justice: lay participation in the courts and professionals' and lay judges' views about it. Malsch provides a penetrating and important analysis of practice in five countries, concluding that citizens should be encouraged to participate, without sacrificing quality in criminal trials.' Joanna Shapland, University of Sheffield, UK

ISBN: 9780754674054

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 620g

248 pages