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Originally Posted by greymule
In San Francisco, 75% of murder trials end in acquittals, and the prosecutors pursue only the most obvious cases. Does anyone—even the juries—really think 75% of those defendants are innocent? Even so, not everyone in jail is guilty.
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Even if your 75% number is correct, you need to understand that fewer than 5% of those charged with a crime go to trial. 95% of criminal cases are plea bargained and never see a jury.
Assuming that the 95% number is also correct for murder cases in San Francisco, that would mean, using your 75% number, that less than 4% of those charged with murder are acquitted.
It's also worth noting that the main purpose of jury trials is NOT to get at the truth, but to protect defendants from state power. Concern with the truth is important, but the design of the adversarial system has much more to do with curbing state power.
Today's civics lesson is concluded.
