Legal Definitions - jurywoman

The term jurywoman is an archaic (old-fashioned) word used to refer specifically to a female member of a jury. Historically, it was also particularly associated with a "jury of matrons," which was a specialized jury composed entirely of women, often married, convened for specific purposes, such as determining if a female prisoner sentenced to death was pregnant.

Today, the term is rarely used in legal contexts, having been replaced by the gender-neutral term juror, which applies to any individual serving on a jury, regardless of gender.

• Example 1: Historical Court Record

  In a historical court transcript from the late 19th century, a document might state, "The panel for the trial of Mr. Thomas Black included twelve citizens, among whom was Mrs. Clara Jenkins, a diligent jurywoman, who served throughout the week-long proceedings."

  Explanation: This example illustrates the historical use of "jurywoman" to refer to a female individual serving on a standard jury during a time when such gender-specific terminology was common.

• Example 2: Jury of Matrons Context

  During a 17th-century trial where a woman convicted of a capital crime claimed pregnancy to avoid execution, the court might have ordered, "Let a jury of matrons be impaneled to examine the prisoner. Mistress Eleanor Vance, a respected midwife and jurywoman, was appointed to lead the examination."

  Explanation: This scenario highlights the specific historical context where "jurywoman" was used within a "jury of matrons," a specialized group of women tasked with determining a female prisoner's physical condition, particularly pregnancy.

• Example 3: Literary or Archival Reference

  A historical novel set in the early 20th century might describe a courtroom scene: "The defense attorney made his closing arguments, carefully observing the reactions of each juror, especially the lone jurywoman, Mrs. Henderson, whose expression remained unreadable."

  Explanation: Here, the term "jurywoman" is used in a historical narrative to accurately reflect the language that would have been used at the time to distinguish a female juror from her male counterparts, before gender-neutral terms became standard.