Some Myths about the Jury System from the Perspective of American Cinematography

Abstract

The popularity of the jury in the US legal system makes it, on the one hand, an attractive research subject for many specialists in American Studies, and, on the other, a source of inspiration for Cultural Studies. Many films and TV series create general myths about the structure, operation and character of jury trials in the United States. Among the most typical myths are: the 12‑member requirement, the necessity to achieve unanimous verdicts, and vast politicization of the voir dire procedure. The topic of law and culture is very attractive among American scholars, as both areas have a significant impact on the everyday life of not only American society, but also other societies around the world. Facing the complexity of popular legal culture, the purpose of the article is to confront the most popular myths of jury trials shaped by specific works of American cinematography, such as 12 Angry Men, The Verdict, Runaway Jury, Murder One, and Law and Order. The most common misunderstandings of how the jury system works shall be revealed by a brief analysis of Supreme Court precedents referring to jury functioning in the contemporary US legal system.