CAN someone please explain what Jury of the Defendants peers really means?

Bathbuddys said:

Hi,
I have been watching Jury selection for 10 days now and am confused on why the courts and law says that we have the right to a jury of our peers?

I am confused as Casey was born to two caucasian parents and her hispanic attorney is asking for minorities?, single men, women with no children, etc etc.
Does anyone else feel confused on the meaning of a jury of one's peers?

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Jetaime said:

I think Marina answered that question very well, so I don't think I can add more to that question... but I don't think the DT are at all interested in a jury of ICA's peers because-- lets face it: ICA's peers are level headed, successful, well educated people. They want the exact opposite. Single men that have never had children. I hate to agree with the FB p juror re: how the defense wants him because he's single, AA, no children & and he's a man.

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Marina2 said:

According to:

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/jury+of+one%27s+peers
it means:

jury of one's peers n. a guaranteed right of criminal defendants, in which "peer" means an "equal." This has been interpreted by courts to mean that the available jurors include a broad spectrum of the population, particularly of race, national origin and gender. Jury selection may include no process which excludes those of a particular race or intentionally narrows the spectrum of possible jurors. It does not mean that women are to be tried by women, Asians by Asians, or African Americans by African Americans.[/B]

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