jury-packing
C2 - Very Low FrequencyFormal, Legal, Political, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
The act of deliberately selecting members of a jury who are biased or likely to favour one side in a legal case.
Any deliberate manipulation in the selection process of a decision-making body (e.g., a committee, panel, or board) to ensure a specific, predetermined outcome by stacking it with partisan members. It's often discussed in political or legal contexts beyond just legal juries.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A highly specific term with a negative, manipulative connotation. It describes a deliberate strategy, not an accidental bias. While the core meaning relates to juries, its extended use often carries the same metaphorical sense of rigging a panel. It is a compound noun (sometimes hyphenated, sometimes as 'jury packing'), rarely used as a verb ('to pack a jury').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from and is primarily used in US legal and political discourse, given the historical context of jury selection practices. In the UK, the concept exists but the specific term is less common, with alternatives like 'jury nobbling' (which implies bribing) or 'rigging a jury' being more frequent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a strong connotation of corruption and undermining justice. In the US, it has specific historical resonance related to civil rights trials and political prosecutions.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English. In British English, it is a recognized term but used infrequently, primarily in academic or comparative legal discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [authority/party] was accused of jury-packing.The defence alleged jury-packing by the prosecution.Jury-packing in the [specific] trial undermined its legitimacy.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pack the jury (verbal phrase)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'Shareholders accused the board of jury-packing the independent committee.'
Academic
Common in legal, political science, and historical texts discussing judicial integrity and manipulation.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only appear in news reports about high-profile, controversial trials.
Technical
Standard term in legal discourse, particularly in discussions of due process, the 6th Amendment (US), and fair trial rights.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The barrister suggested the prosecution had attempted to pack the jury.
- Historically, authorities could pack a jury to secure convictions.
American English
- The defense attorney filed a motion, claiming the DA's office had packed the jury.
- The statute was designed to prevent anyone from packing a jury with sympathizers.
adverb
British English
- N/A - Not a standard adverbial form.
American English
- N/A - Not a standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The jury-packing allegations were serious enough for an inquiry.
- They discussed historical jury-packing tactics.
American English
- The judge reviewed the jury-packing claim before dismissing it.
- A jury-packing scandal rocked the local courthouse.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lawyer said the jury was not fair. (Simplified concept)
- The newspaper article accused the government of jury-packing in the political trial.
- If a jury is packed, the trial's result cannot be trusted.
- The landmark ruling established stricter controls to prevent the prosecution from engaging in jury-packing.
- Scholars argue that jury-packing in the 19th century was a common tool for suppressing dissent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone 'packing' a suitcase for a trip, but instead of clothes, they are 'packing' the jury box with people who have already chosen a side.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A BALANCE / FAIR COMPETITION. Jury-packing is TILTING THE SCALES / FIXING THE RACE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'упаковка жюри'. This is nonsensical.
- The concept is best translated as 'подбор пристрастных присяжных' or 'фальсификация состава жюри/суда присяжных'.
- Do not confuse with 'packing' in the sense of packaging goods.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a jury that is simply large ('packed' with people).
- Confusing it with 'jury tampering', which is broader and includes influencing jurors *after* selection.
- Using it as a common verb (e.g., 'They jury-packed'). The standard verbal phrase is 'to pack a jury'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'jury-packing'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern judicial systems, deliberately packing a jury to secure a biased verdict is illegal and a serious violation of the right to a fair trial.
Jury-packing is a specific type of jury tampering that occurs during the *selection* process. Jury tampering is broader and can also include contacting or threatening jurors *after* they have been selected.
Yes, metaphorically. It can describe stacking any committee, panel, or decision-making group with people pre-disposed to a certain outcome, e.g., 'packing a university committee with industry supporters.'
No. It is a low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in formal discussions about law, politics, and history.