Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

Trial by jury and freedom of the press originated in which legal system?

1. The Magna Carta

2. Roman law

3. English common law

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: English common law

The development of trial by jury and freedom of the press is rooted in English common law. This legal system emerged in England and evolved from customary laws and practices over the centuries. The trial by jury was established as a fundamental right, enabling citizens to take part in the justice process, providing a check on governmental power by allowing ordinary people to assess evidence and render verdicts. Freedom of the press, while not explicitly outlined in early common law, was significantly influenced by the principles of common law in England that emphasized the importance of individual rights and freedoms. The common law tradition fostered an environment where the press could operate with relative independence, leading to the eventual recognition of this freedom as vital to a democratic society and public discourse. In contrast, the Magna Carta, while a significant document that laid the groundwork for various legal rights, did not specifically establish these concepts as we understand them today. Roman law has a different historical context that did not emphasize these particular rights in the same way that English common law did. Therefore, English common law is the correct answer as it specifically encompasses the origins of trial by jury and the concepts of press freedom.