Although many believe the idea of courts “should” make them the “great levelers” of

society, the prejudices of the jury may not always keep the integrity of the judicial court systems
design. When Jem expresses his confidence in winning the trial, the Reverend quickly corrects
his innocence by telling Jem that he “ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored
man”(Lee 279). The juries previously established opinions on race provide anyone but colored
men the upper hand. This formated opinion leaves people like Robinson with the thousands of
other wrongfully convicted citizens. Lee uses the innocence of Jem to emphasize the obvious
raise the victim upholds and the idealistic view of a fair trial. As Scout walks into the courthouse
she describes her many surroundings including, “[t]he Colored balcony” and “[t]he jury” only
filled with “farmers”(Lee 219). With the twelve jurors all twelve were white farmers, leaving
Robinson with no physical evidence and no African American juror. Robinson remains on an
uneven “playing field” and Mayella left with advantages based on only the color of her skin.
While the courts provide idealistic fairness, the conflicting opinions of the jurors can in the end
forestall this process.