2015 Annual Special Issue of the NGO Version of Mock Jury Trial

This mock trial special issue, grounded in the "jury system," is not intended to "showcase achievements." On the contrary, it is our calm and collected self-reflection after conducting four mock trials.

Through four rounds of events, we have gained a deeper understanding of how the jury system operates, while further realizing that promoting a "genuine" system of public participation in trials cannot be achieved overnight. This is an institutional reform involving a wide array of facets. It requires adequate communication, detailed comparisons, honest simulations, and sincere proposals for complementary measures. Only then can we be considered as promoting policy responsibly.

We know that four mock trials alone are far from enough. Aside from continuous review and reflection, we also commit to continuing our simulations. At the same time, we are aware that the current NGO-sponsored draft bill remains very rudimentary without comprehensive accompanying amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure. We will surely forge ahead step by step. We need more mock trials to accumulate richer experience. More sophisticated operation, improvement, and dialogue are the only sincere and responsible ways to promote policy.

We need more mock trials to accumulate richer experience. More sophisticated operation, improvement, and dialogue are the only sincere and responsible ways to promote policy.

Table of Contents

Preface

Honest Simulation and Sincere Responsibility in Promoting Policy◎Kao Jung-chih

Jury Trial is the Best Choice◎Yu Po-hsiang

Practice

How to Organize a Mock Jury Trial◎Yu Po-hsiang

Reflections

Mixed-Court System or Jury System: Who Can Turn the Axis of Justice?◎Tsai Chih-hung

Judges Under the Jury System Are Actually Listening to Trials! Not Just Listening for Fun◎Yeh Chien-t'ing

Reflections on Participating in Mock Jury Trial Drills—A Former Judge's Perspective◎Huang Ming-chan

Thoughts on Participating in Mock Trials◎Sun Cheng-hua

Long-Awaited Presumption of Innocence◎Lin Chun-hung

The Jury System and the Realization of Fair Trials◎Lin Yu-teng

The Key to Effectively Promoting Judicial Reform: The Jury System◎Huang Chih-hao

Reflections on Participating in the Mock Jury Trial◎Shen Yuan-kai

Participation

The Day I Sat on the Jury Bench◎Liu Chin-chang

My First Jury Experience—It's All About Procedure◎Yang Hsiao-hsien

Harvest and Learning from Serving as a Mock Juror◎Lou Yuan-chueh

Who Is Qualified to Personify Justice?◎Chieh Chi

Frankly Speaking, I Only Know That I Know Nothing◎Li Chien-hung

The Alienation of Observation, the Violence of Adjudication◎Lin Chien-ju

Commentary

The Promotion of Public Participation in Trials is Imperative◎Chiang Nien-tsu

A Contemporary Official Scandal of Public Participation in Trials in Our Country◎Lu Ying-chieh

Public Participation in Trials: Opening a New Chapter in Judicial Reform◎Lin Yu-shun

Mixed-Court System or Jury System? How About Letting the People Choose?◎Lee Nien-tsu

A Smooth Highway Leading to a Castle Protecting Human Rights?◎Chen Yun-tsai

Comments by Judge Craig Iscoe of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, USA, after Participating in the International Drug Smuggling Mock Trial Case◎Simultaneous Interpretation/Chin Meng-hua

Review

Room for Improvement Remains in the NGO Draft of the Act on Public Participation in Criminal Trials—Feedback from Four Mock Trials◎Yu Po-hsiang

Appendix

Mock Jury Trial Preparation Checklist

Detailed Timeline of Trial Proceedings for the 4th Mock Jury Trial

Indictment for the 4th Mock Jury Trial

Evidence List for the 4th Mock Jury Trial

Judge's Case Brief and Question List for the Jury Selection Proceedings of the 4th Mock Trial

Pre-Trial Instructions for the 4th Mock Trial

Pre-Deliberation Instructions for the 4th Mock Trial

Verdict Document for the 4th Mock Trial

NGO Draft of the "Act on Public Participation in Criminal Trials"

Full Text Reading

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