Unanimity

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Unanimity is complete agreement by everyone. When unanimous, everybody is of same mind and acting together as one. Many groups consider unanimous decisions a sign of agreement, solidarity, and unity.

The legitimacy supposedly established by unanimity has been used by dictatorial regimes in an attempt to gain support for their position. Participants in a legislature may be coerced or intimidated into supporting the position of a dictator, with the legislature becoming little more than a rubber stamp for a more powerful authority.

In the realm of criminal jury trials, many U.S. states and the federal U.S. system require that verdicts be unanimous.

[edit] Sources of Legal Authority

In the State of Maryland, article 21 of the Maryland Constitution's Declaration of Rights requires unanimity in all criminal jury trials: "That in all criminal prosecutions, every man hath a right to be informed of the accusation against him; to have a copy of the Indictment, or charge, in due time (if required) to prepare for his defence; to be allowed counsel; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have process for his witnesses; to examine the witnesses for and against him on oath; and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury, without whose unanimous consent he ought not to be found guilty." [1]

[edit] See also

• Consensus decision-making
• Majority