Jury talk concludes series
Vol. 17, No. 20Feb. 19, 1998

Jury talk concludes series

The University's Land and Sea Lecture Series concludes on Friday, Feb. 27, when Valerie Hans, criminal justice and psychology, presents "The Jury Under Attack." Her talk will take place at 10 a.m. in the Virden Center, on the University's Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Rd., Lewes, and again at 2 p.m., in the auditorium of the Methodist Manor House, 1001 Middleford Road, Seaford. Both talks are free and open to the public.

Once a revered institution, the American jury is under attack today from all quarters. Controversial jury verdicts in the Rodney King beating, the O.J. Simpson trial, the McDonald's coffee spill civil case and, most recently, the Boston nanny trial have raised questions about the fairness and competence of the jury system.

Hans will look at jury reform efforts that are under way in a number of states, including Delaware, and how they may fundamentally alter the workings of the jury. Will the jury as an institution survive? Insights from audience members who have served as jurors will be incorporated into the talk.

The lecture series is sponsored by the UD Office of Alumni and University Relations. For more information, call (302) 855-1620.