Jury Trial Law & Legal Definition
A jury trial is otherwise called a trial by jury. A jury is a group of law abiding members of a community who have been assigned to pronounce an impartial decision on a legal issue. The jury may either arrive at a decision or make findings of fact which are then applied by a judge. It is thus different from a bench trial where a judge or panel of judges makes all decisions.
The right to a jury trial is recognized as a fundamental civil right by the United States constitution. The defendant may waive his right to jury trial and opt for a bench trial. Trial by jury is a constitutional right under Article Three of the US Constitution. Every person accused of a felony has a right to trial by jury. The jury trial is conducted in the State and district where the crime was committed. The US Constitution also recognizes a trial by jury for non criminal actions where the value in dispute is above twenty dollars.
The US juries consist of 12 jurors and they should give a unanimous verdict. The jurors may be selected through the voter’s list or driving license lists. A form is sent to the selected members asking them to complete the form regarding their eligibility to become a juror. Once the selected members are considered qualified, a summons is issued to them to be a member of the jury.
Legal Definitions
Search Definitions
Get a Term Defined
- Request a legal definition! Submit a term you need defined.
- » Request Legal Definition
Submit a Definition
- Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
- » Submit a Definition
Help Build USLegal
- Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
Build USLegal
Read a Law Digest
- Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
Go to Law Digest
Form Packages
- Select from our most popular legal form packages.
- » Bankruptcy
- » Contract for Deed
- » Divorce
- » Employment Packages
- » Home Sales
- » Incorporation
- » LLC Formation
- » Landlord Tenant
- » Mutual Wills
- » Name Change
- » Personal Planning
- » Partnerships
- » View All Packages
Legal Life
- Organize your legal life today! View our free online guide to creating a Life Documents File and related products.
- » Life Documents File
- » Personal Planning Package
- » Life Documents Packages
- » New Parents
- » Newlyweds
- » Baby Boomers
- » Military
- » Other
Form Drafting
- Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
Submit a drafting request...
