The Palladium of Justice: Origins of Trial by Jury

Trial by jury is the mainstay of the accusatorial system of criminal justice. Here one of our most distinguished constitutional scholars, the Pulitzer Prize–winning Leonard Levy, brings his formidable skills to bear in tracing the development of what many great legal minds have called the "Palladium of Justice." Recounting this history with his characteristic clarity, vigor, and elegance of expression, Mr. Levy has given us a brilliant and useful summary of one of our most cherished freedoms. "Incisively, thoroughly, and thoughtfully—as always-Leonard Levy offers historical meaning and understanding to one of our most basic rights."–Stanley I. Kutler.

Leonard W. Levy, whose Origins of the Fifth Amendment won the Pulitzer Prize in history, is formerly Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional History at Brandeis University and Andrew W. Mellon All-Claremont Professor of Humanities and History at the Claremont Graduate School. His other writings, many of which have also won awards, include Origins of the Fifth Amendment, Blasphemy, The Establishment Clause, Freedom of the Press from Zenger to Jefferson, Original Intent and the Framers' Constitution, and Jefferson and Civil Liberties. He lives in Ashland, Oregon.