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How are laws enforced? · 1 min read

Juries

In Australia’s court system, people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court. Every person has the right to be represented by a lawyer in court.

A court will use a jury in some cases to decide if a person has broken the law. The role of a jury is to decide in court if a person is innocent or guilty. A jury is a group of ordinary Australian citizens randomly chosen from the general population. The judge explains the law to the jury. In a criminal trial, if the jury finds a person guilty, the judge decides the penalty.

Test yourself on this topic

6 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. A person has been charged with a crime but the court has not yet reached a verdict. How are they treated?

    • As innocent only if they have a lawyer
    • As innocent until they are found guilty
    • As guilty because the police charged them
    • As guilty until they prove they are innocent

    Explanation: In Australia a person is innocent unless and until a court finds them guilty.

  2. 2. During a trial with a jury, who explains the law to the jury?

    • The parliament
    • The jury foreperson
    • The judge
    • The police officer

    Explanation: Jurors are ordinary people, so the judge explains the law they must apply.

  3. 3. In a criminal trial, a jury finds the accused person guilty. Who then decides the penalty?

    • The jury
    • The government
    • The police
    • The judge

    Explanation: The jury decides guilt only; setting the penalty is the judge's task.

  4. 4. What is the role of a jury in an Australian court?

    • To explain the law to the judge in court
    • To decide if a person is innocent or guilty
    • To decide the penalty for the crime committed
    • To choose which lawyer will act in the case

    Explanation: The jury's single job is to reach a verdict of innocent or guilty.

  5. 5. Who has the right to be represented by a lawyer in an Australian court?

    • Only Australian citizens
    • Only people who own property
    • Every person
    • Only people charged with serious crimes

    Explanation: The right to a lawyer in court belongs to everyone, with no exceptions.

  6. 6. Who makes up a jury in Australia?

    • Police officers from the local station
    • Officials appointed by the government
    • Ordinary Australian citizens chosen at random
    • Lawyers selected by the trial judge

    Explanation: Juries are drawn at random from ordinary citizens, not from lawyers or officials.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet