미국 배심제에 대한 법인류학적 고찰 - 과학주의의 관점에서 본 미국 배심제의 논리 -

This paper approaches the American jury system from a legal anthropological perspective. Viewing ‘culture as law’ and ‘law as culture’, American jury system as a legal institution is analyzed as closely inter-wined to the American culture, especially the scientism. It reviews major rules that constitute the modern-day American jury. Then it provides historical contexts in which these rules emerged and how they have transformed over time. As a wide authority the American jury once enjoyed has narrowed, a significant reinterpretation of the fairness of the jury trial has been made based on the scientism. American jury system is a remarkably powerful political institution but at the same time a remarkably enduring cultural institution. The fundamental ideal of jury as peers who render common-sense judgment is still retained in the context of jury nullification. However, in many other areas of jury rules, the concept of justice is reinterpreted and reenforced from the perspective of scientism. The number of jury, elaborate rules and mechanisms utilized in the jury selection process, the control of outside influence during the court procedure all demonstrate the scientific cognitive framework that untainted, controlled information can guarantee fair and independent jury decision-making. Although many criticisms on the jury system have been produced and jury reform is under way in many jurisdictions, the fundamental core principles of the American jury system are intact and the legacy of the American jury will still live on.