Consul General opens conference on jury trials in Russia
Consul General Tim Sandusky opened a conference dedicated to the development of the jury trial system in Russia in Yekaterinburg on May 13. The conference was organized by the Russian Jurors Club (www.juryclub.ru) and supported by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Justice. Former jurors, lawyers and journalists took part in the conference, which drew participants from the Urals region, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Samara, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vologda, Yaroslavl, Ryazan and other cities. Participants discussed their experiences as jurors as well as the legislative and jurisprudential aspects of jury trials in Russia. The Consul General observed that the U.S. and pre-revolutionary Russia shared the institution of trial by jury and that the institution has been revived in the Russian Federation. Mr. Sandusky noted the close cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and the Russian Procuracy Academy on a broad range of issues. He recognized those in the audience who had shared their experiences and opinions with American colleagues on exchange visits to the United States. The Consul General expressed his hope for the continuation of this cooperation, which benefits both our countries. In conclusion, he remarked that those who have served as jurors know that the experience provides a new perspective on justice and civil responsibility.