The word "talesmen" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end, indicating that the vowel in the preceding syllable should be pronounced with a long sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "talesmen" is /ˈteɪlzˌmən/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "a" sound, represented by /eɪ/. The second syllable incorporates a silent "s", but the vowel sound is unchanged from the preceding syllable: /lz/. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound, represented by /ən/.
Talesmen refers to individuals who are selected or chosen for jury service, typically in common law jurisdictions. They are part of a potential jury pool, from which the final jury members are selected for a trial. The term "talesman" is predominantly used in English jurisprudence.
Talesmen serve a crucial role in the judicial system as they are tasked with impartially assessing the facts presented during a trial and delivering a verdict based on the evidence and instructions received from the judge. Talesmen are expected to possess qualities such as objectivity, open-mindedness, and the ability to weigh evidence critically.
Once selected, talesmen may undergo a screening process to ensure their suitability for serving on a jury. This process may involve answering a series of questions or participating in a voir dire examination, where potential jurors are questioned by both the prosecution and defense lawyers to identify any potential biases that may affect their ability to fairly judge a case.
Talesmen play an integral role in upholding the right to a fair trial and the principle of jury impartiality. Their involvement in the justice system ensures that decisions regarding guilt or innocence are made by a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, who collectively represent the community in which the trial takes place.
The word "talesmen" is derived from Middle English and originated from the combination of two separate words: "tale" and "man".
The word "tale" in this context refers to a legal term known as "tales", meaning a writ or permission to summon additional jurors to complete a jury panel. It dates back to the 14th century and comes from the Old French word "tale", which means "account" or "number".
The second part, "man", simply refers to a human being. In Old English, "man" was used to mean a person of either gender. Over time, it evolved to specifically refer to males, but in legal contexts, it can still be used more inclusively.
Therefore, "talesmen" combined these two elements to signify individuals who are selected to be added to a jury panel as additional members, typically when the initial jury pool is incomplete or insufficient.