Sixth Amendment

The Supreme Court interpretation of the Sixth Amendment requires that trial juries in both federal and state
criminal trials be selected from “a representative cross-section of the community.” It also guarantees trial by a
jury of peers. That phrase does not mean that, say, a student facing criminal charges must have a jury of
students or that a female defendant must have an all-female jury.
Discuss what potential problems exist in attempting to provide a defendant with a jury of persons exclusively
similar to him/her.
Is such an effort possible…practical?
Discuss who YOU would prefer to have on a jury if you found yourself to be a defendant in a criminal trial and
why?