Jury Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Jury, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Jury?

They are refered to the group of randomly selected citizens who has been shortlisted to hear the case in the court in their own area.They jointly determine the case and makes a decision based on the facts and evidences and with the consultation with the judge regarding the rules of law.

History and Meaning of Jury

Jury, in the legal context, is a group of randomly selected citizens who have been summoned to court to hear a case and collectively determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. The concept of a jury can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was first used as a means of resolving legal disputes. In modern times, the right to a trial by jury is considered a fundamental right and is enshrined in many legal systems around the world.

In the United States, the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by an impartial jury. The composition of the jury is typically determined by a process of random selection from a pool of eligible citizens. Attorneys for both sides have the opportunity to question potential jurors to ensure that they are impartial and capable of making an unbiased decision based solely on the facts presented in court.

Examples of Jury

  1. The jury found the defendant guilty of murder after reviewing all the evidence presented in court.

  2. The judge dismissed the case after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision.

  3. During the voir dire process, the defense attorney asked potential jurors about their feelings on police brutality.

Legal Terms Similar to Jury

  1. Bench Trial - In a bench trial, the judge acts as both the judge and the jury, rendering a verdict based on the evidence presented in court.

  2. Grand Jury - A grand jury is a group of citizens who are summoned to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to indict an individual for a crime.

  3. Petit Jury - A petit jury is a group of citizens who are summoned to hear a case and determine the guilt or innocence of an accused individual.