Legal competence as a factor which influences on the verdict of jury

The article discusses the influence of the jury competence on the justice of their verdict in criminal cases. There is given the analysis of the problems which arise in practice of Russian courts of first instance when the jury investigate evidence and international experience. There is made the conclusion about necessity of rising the level of legal knowledge of this category of persons and necessity of developing skills and abilities of their application in the criminal procedure of Russia. Measures, directed on the formation of appropriate legal competence ofjury while they studying the questions posed to them and making a final decision, are suggested.