Russian Supreme Court proposes judge voting last in mixed jury panel

Russia's Supreme Court proposes placing a professional judge alongside four jurors, with each member having one vote. The judge would vote last. The initiative was discussed by the court's Scientific Advisory Council on October 13.

The proposed mixed panel would replace a system in which jurors alone return the verdict. Its designers say the judge would help address legal questions that arise. Shorter proceedings and fewer overturned verdicts are stated aims of the reform.

RIA Novosti's report from the meeting said more than 80% of jury acquittals were overturned in 2025. Reducing cancellations on procedural grounds is one of the arguments the reform's developers give for the changes.

The Supreme Court said the proposals would also remove the blanket prohibition on examining legal questions in the jurors' presence. They would restrict appeals based on irregularities in jury selection when those objections were not raised during the hearing.

Other proposals include removing the maximum age for prospective jurors and allowing defendants, in certain circumstances, to withdraw an earlier request for a jury hearing.

The measures remain proposals for legislative change. Their discussion by the advisory council does not mean the new panel composition and voting order are already in force.