jury trials
Twelve decide guilt
Jury trials are legal proceedings in which a group of citizens—rather than a judge alone—determines the facts of a case and delivers a verdict.
The right to a jury trial is fundamental in common law systems, particularly for serious criminal charges: The defendant opted for a jury trial rather than a bench trial.
Civil cases may also go before juries when parties dispute facts or damages.
- Sixth AmendmentConstitutional trial protections
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- witnessesThose who observe events
- verdictOfficial court decision
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
subpoena · defendant · burden of proof · testimony · acquittal · voir dire · presumption of innocence · sworn testimony · unanimous verdict · guilty verdict · plaintiff · judge · summons · opening statements · courtroom · civic duty · prosecution · foreman
- civil litigationlawsuits, plaintiffs, defendants, verdicts, judgments
- court casescourt cases, verdicts, civil cases, criminal cases, criminal appeals
- court proceduresbail hearings, civil procedure, criminal procedure, arraignment, depositions
- criminal justicearrest, jail, court, prison, crime
- legal systemattorney, landmark cases, criminal cases, lawyers, legal precedents
- ancient GreeceAthens, Sparta, Zeus, Parthenon, Acropolis
jury trialsarbitration
Non-court binding dispute resolution
mediation · binding arbitration · plea bargains · settlement · out-of-court settlement
trial, jury, trials, judicial, jurisdiction, juries, abjure, judiciary, juror