Jury

Also known as: Trier of Fact

In one sentence

A group of citizens sworn to hear evidence and decide whether a defendant is guilty or liable.

Plain English

A jury is a panel of ordinary people (usually 6 to 12) who listen to the evidence in a trial and make the final decision about guilt or innocence in a criminal case, or liability in a civil case. Jurors take an oath to be fair and impartial. They are selected through a process called voir dire, where lawyers and judges ask questions to identify bias. The jury's verdict must usually be unanimous, meaning all members must agree.

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Example

In a murder trial, 12 jurors listen to testimony from witnesses, examine physical evidence, and hear arguments from both the prosecution and defense. After deliberating for three days, they return a unanimous verdict of guilty.

Used in a sentence

“The jury deliberated for six hours before reaching a verdict in the civil negligence case.”

Related terms

Voir Dire

The questioning process used to select impartial jurors for a trial.

acquittal

A court decision that a defendant is not guilty of the charges.

Grand Jury

A group of citizens who review evidence to decide if there's probable cause to charge someone with a crime.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

Expungement

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

Felony

A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.

Misdemeanor

A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.