Why is the concept of vicinage important in protecting a defendant's rights at trial? Vicinage assures the defendant that there is a greater likelihood that some members of the jury may share similar cultural, ethnic, and
religious beliefs and may come from similar economic backgrounds.
A jury that has been seated with careful attention to vicinage has the financial resources necessary to avoid being tempted to sell their
vote" for either a conviction or an acquittal.
Vicinage assures the defendant that the members of the jury will agree with his point of view on cultural, social, and religious issues.
A jury that represents the ethnic majority of the community while the defendant is a member of the ethnic minority assures the community
that the decision the jury makes is one that is supported by the majority of the community.