THE JURY'S OUT ON NON-UNANIMOUS VERDICTS.

• Position: STATE LINE - Brief article

Juries in Louisiana and Oregon can convict most felony defendants with a 10-2 vote, though Louisiana requires unanimous convictions in capital cases. All other states and the federal government require 12-0 felony verdicts. Proponents of non-unanimous verdicts say they result in fewer hung juries, and that such systems empower jurors and crime victims. Critics say they can marginalize minority jurors whose votes aren't needed and...