By M. Cherif Bassiouni

The Amanda Knox case is complex in view of Italy's complicated procedure in matters involving serious crimes. These crimes are tried before a special court called the Court of Assizes.

These courts have two professional judges and six lay judges, much like a jury in Anglo-American cases. But, in Italy, the lay judges sit alongside the ordinary judges and decide on questions of law and fact.

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Source: http://blog.oup.com