1. Several documents discuss the origins and purposes of jury trials in common law systems. Jury trials were seen as protecting citizens against potential biases or overreach by judges and helped educate citizens on self-governance and their duties. 2. Jury trials were thought to instill judicial thinking in ordinary citizens and promote political virtues by making people feel responsible for decisions. Regular participation in juries could counter selfishness and make people more attentive to issues beyond their own affairs. 3. Juries were believed to curb potential biases or abuses of power by professional judges by forcing judges to clearly explain the law to laypeople and making judges more accountable.