Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Right to 12-Person Jury in Major Victory for Defense
Today the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the right to demand a 12-member jury, holding the mandatory 6-person jury statute, 735 ILCS 5/2-1105(b), unconstitutional. Kakos v. Butler, 2016 IL 120377. This is a major victory for the defense and will arguably protect defendants and insurers from more unpredictable and inaccurate verdicts that can result from a smaller jury panel.
The opinion can be found at: http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Opinions/SupremeCourt/2016/120377.pdf