An article says that jury members are being too soft. do you argree with that? why or why not?

Question

An article says that jury members are being too soft. do you argree with that? why or why not?

Answer 1

People who disagree with Juries probably never sat on a jury.  Jury's sit in a court room and decide cases based only on the evidence presented.  I have served on more than one jury.  I found that all my fellow jurors were interested in doing the right thing.  As far as sentencing goes I have never served on a Jury that determined the sentence.  That is usually done by the Judge, although there are certain capital cases where the jury makes that determination.  I fail to see how 12 people can come together and and decide to be too soft based on the evidence presented.  Too many people dodge jury duty.  I am self employed and when I serve I do not earn any income other than the $7.00 a day they pay jurors ---(We spend that much on parking!!).  But I still always report when I get my summons.

Answer 2

Being too soft on what?  Criminals?  Or personal injury suits?

In criminal cases, juries are bound by the evidence presented, and if they do not follow the rules, the courts usually overturn the verdict.

However, almost every day I read about a jury that awards "billions" to someone too dumb to know that fast-food coffee is hot (and other stupid lawsuits).  Doesn't sound "too soft" to me.  Stupid, yes.  But not soft.