The book deals with all the great political and legal landmarks and shows how the jury developed and survived to become a key democratic institution capable of resisting monarchs, governments and interference. Linking past and present, John Hostettler conveys the unique nature of the jury, and its central role in the administration of justice - but above all its importance as 'a thing of the people' and a barrier to manipulation and abuse of power. The Criminal Jury Old and New will be of interest to practitioners, collectors, students, researchers, libraries, colleges and general readers alike.