Legal Definitions - petit juror

A petit juror is an individual who is selected to serve on a trial jury. Their primary responsibility is to listen to the evidence presented during a court case, evaluate the facts, and then deliberate with other jurors to reach a verdict. This verdict determines the outcome of the case, whether it's a criminal matter (guilty or not guilty) or a civil dispute (liable or not liable). The term "petit" (pronounced "pet-ee") means "small" and distinguishes this type of juror from a "grand juror," who serves on a grand jury that investigates potential crimes.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of a petit juror:

• Imagine a local resident, Ms. Chen, receives a summons for jury duty. After a selection process called voir dire, she is chosen to be one of twelve jurors for a criminal trial involving an alleged bank robbery. Throughout the trial, Ms. Chen listens to witness testimonies, examines evidence like security footage, and hears arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. After all evidence is presented, she and the other eleven jurors retire to a private room to discuss the case and decide if the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In this scenario, Ms. Chen is acting as a petit juror because she is part of the trial jury responsible for determining the facts and reaching a verdict in a specific criminal case.

• Mr. Davies is called to serve on a jury for a civil lawsuit where one company is suing another for breach of contract. The plaintiff company claims the defendant failed to deliver goods as agreed, causing significant financial losses. As a petit juror, Mr. Davies must carefully consider the contracts, financial records, and expert testimonies presented by both sides. His role, along with the other jurors, is to decide whether a breach of contract occurred and, if so, what damages should be awarded. This demonstrates his function as a fact-finder in a civil trial.

• During a personal injury case arising from a car accident, Ms. Rodriguez is selected for the jury. The plaintiff claims the defendant's negligent driving caused their injuries, while the defendant argues the plaintiff was at fault. As a petit juror, Ms. Rodriguez's task is to weigh the evidence, including accident reports, medical records, and witness accounts, to determine who was responsible for the accident and the extent of any damages. Her participation is crucial in deciding the liability and compensation in this civil dispute, fulfilling the role of a trial juror.