Dr Sarah Stirk

Senior Law lecturer. Researcher and PhD in the criminal justice system and lay involvement in it. Attorney at Law, Virginia. Proud mummy .All views my own.

[The Blue Coat School @LiverpoolBCS]

It’s been a fantastic year for our Y7 boys Football team. They won the Liverpool Cup (South) tournament & will play the winners of the North side in the Liverpool Cup final. They’re also through to the last 16 of the Merseyside Cup after beating a very strong Rainhill side 2-1👏

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

Marcus had an amazing weekend at the U11 County Cup with Lancashire - not their weekend but lots learnt and a lot of fun had @TennisLancs @mosspitslane @jamespcullen

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

Marcus was Runner Up in a G4 U11 at Knutsford today to top of a brilliant weekend. Great tennis and determination so proud ❤️ @jamespcullen @TennisLancs @mosspitslane @LiverpoolTC

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

Huge congratulations to these Superstars who just won the U8 County Cup for Lancashire 🌹🥳 @TennisLancs @mosspitslane @Mosspits_PE

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

There really is a lot about our jury system that could be improved.

But there is an awful lot to be very proud of. Juries persevere in the most heartbreaking, testing cases.

They do their duty.

I may not always agree with a verdict - but I have always understood it.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

How many judges or professional jurors do you think would be 19 years old? How many are students? How many are unemployed? How many are from minority groups? How many live difficult lives in poverty or housing instability? How could you ever replicate the randomness of a jury?

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

And if a decision-maker holds a view that is fallible or outdated or has another side to it - what then? Who challenges it? Who debates it with them? Themselves? The other ‘professionals’?

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

That bit where you’re shouting at your telly? The bit where you’re challenging someone else’s views? That’s part of it. Part of the system. It’s deliberation.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

What do you think happens to a ‘professional juror’ when they hear their 5th trial? Their 50th? Their 500th? Do you think they *could* become case-hardened? Weary? Sceptical?

…Cynical?

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

Both victims of crime and defendants should be very careful what they wish for.

Do you think a single judge sitting alone - sitting with their own opinions and views with no one to challenge or prod or discuss them with - would be more or less fair?

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

We don’t have 12 citizens because it is a *perfect* system - we have them because 12 random voices, experiences, opinions, backgrounds and active deliberation is the *best* system.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

Because a judge deciding alone or ‘professional jury’ will not always reach the same conclusion as others performing the same role.

Repeat this experiment with 12 separate people or groups of ‘professional jurors’ and see if you get 12 consistent verdicts every time.

You won’t.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

If you struggle with the idea that 24 people sitting on 2 separate juries could reach different conclusions about narrow facts then I have some incredibly bad news for you about the alternatives to jury trial.

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

@sofiacav Well done Superstar

[Jay Cullen @jamespcullen]

Huge congrats to the little man, Oscar, who won the U8 Grade 3 Bolton Grand Prix today, remaining undefeated throughout! 🎾🎾 🎾🎾 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

@mosspitslane @Mosspits_PE @TennisLancs @BoltonTeam @HGSuperMovers @LiverpoolTC @s_stirk

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

@sofiacav @LJMULaw @Amber__Pugh Well Done Dr Amber

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

Mosspits boys acting as ball boys at the Liverpool international tennis competition @mosspitslane @Mosspits_PE @LiverpoolTennis

[Tennis Lancashire @TennisLancs]

After a weekend in the ☀️ our 10 & Under Boys miss out on qualifying for the finals after losing to Cheshire in a shoot out.

[Dr Sarah Stirk @s_stirk]

@TennisLancs Well done boys - you tried so hard.

[Tennis Lancashire @TennisLancs]

Good luck to the 10 & Under players who have been selected to represent Lancashire in the #CountyCup this weekend 🎾🌹