Abstract

As an important part of the American judicial system, American jury system plays an irreplaceable role. Jury system, which originates from England, has been developed into a mature system. The system has its unique charm, while there are also some defects in it. With the social transformation going on, studies on the system have significant implications for the reform of judicial system in China.
The film 12 Angry Man is a classic black-and-white movie produced by MGM. It shows its audience a comparatively complete jury trial. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film probes into the American jury system and legal justice, and it is hailed as one of the greatest films. The film tells a story of a jury trial in a capital case. There is a murder charge of a 8-year-old teenager from a slum who was suspected of killing his father, and 12 common citizens form a jury to take part in the trial. In this thesis, the author offers an introduction and analysis of the American jury system by analyzing its reflections in the film. Chapter 1 elaborates on the jury system and the movie; in chapter 2, the author analyzes the jury system combined with the plot of the film; Finally, chapter 3 mainly probes into the enlightenment of the system to the reform of the judicial system in China.

Key words: the jury system of the United States; 12 angry men; juror; judicial system

摘  要

美国陪审团制度是美国司法制度中的重要一环，它发挥着不可替代的作用。起源于英国的陪审团制度在美国已被发展成一种成熟的制度。这一制度有着自身独特的魅力，同时也存在一些不足。在社会变革的当下，研究美国陪审团制度对我国司法体制改革有着重要的意义。
电影《12怒汉》是米高梅公司于1957年制作的一部黑白电影。它为观众呈现了较为完整的陪审团审判过程。这部由西德尼•吕美特导演的电影深刻探讨了美国陪审团制度和法律正义，被誉为电影史上最伟大的作品之一。电影讲述了陪审团裁定一桩死刑案件的故事。一个贫民窟长大的18岁少年因为涉嫌杀害自己的父亲被告上法庭，随后案件由12位普通市民组成陪审团参与审理。笔者希望通过这部电影概述并分析美国陪审团制度。第一章对美国陪审团制度和《12怒汉》进行详尽介绍，第二章，笔者结合电影情节对美国陪审团制度进行分析。最后，第三部分主要探讨了这种制度对于我国司法改革的启示。

关键词：美国陪审团制度；《12怒汉》；陪审员；司法制度