Legal Definitions - petit jury

A petit jury is the group of ordinary citizens selected to hear evidence in a trial and decide the facts of the case. It is the type of jury most people commonly think of when they hear the word "jury." Unlike a grand jury, which determines if there is enough evidence to bring charges, a petit jury's primary role is to listen to testimony, examine evidence, and ultimately decide whether a defendant is guilty in a criminal case or liable in a civil case. This decision is called a verdict.

In serious criminal cases, the petit jury's verdict must be unanimous. While traditionally composed of twelve members, some civil cases may use smaller juries, often with six members. The right to have a case decided by a petit jury is a fundamental protection enshrined in the U.S. Constitution (Sixth Amendment for criminal cases, Seventh Amendment for civil cases). However, in many situations, a defendant can choose to waive this right and have a judge decide the case instead, a process known as a bench trial.

• Example 1: Criminal Assault Trial

  Scenario: David is accused of assault following an altercation outside a bar. He pleads not guilty, and his case proceeds to trial.

  Illustration: A petit jury of twelve citizens is selected. They hear testimony from eyewitnesses, the alleged victim, and David himself. They also review evidence such as security footage and police reports. After considering all the information, the jury deliberates to determine if the prosecution has proven David's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If all twelve jurors agree he is guilty, they deliver a "guilty" verdict; otherwise, they might return a "not guilty" verdict or be unable to reach a unanimous decision, demonstrating their role in deciding the facts and outcome of a criminal matter.

• Example 2: Civil Breach of Contract Lawsuit

  Scenario: A small business, "Innovate Tech," sues a software developer, alleging that the developer failed to deliver a custom application as per their signed contract, causing significant financial losses.

  Illustration: A petit jury, potentially consisting of six to twelve members, is empaneled for the civil trial. They listen to arguments from both companies' lawyers, examine the contract, review emails, and hear from expert witnesses about the software development process and the alleged damages. The jury's task is to decide whether the software developer breached the contract and, if so, what amount of monetary compensation Innovate Tech should receive. Their verdict determines liability and the financial outcome of the dispute.

• Example 3: High-Profile Embezzlement Case

  Scenario: Ms. Evelyn Reed, a former bank manager, is on trial for embezzling millions of dollars from customer accounts, a serious felony that has attracted national attention.

  Illustration: A petit jury of twelve individuals is carefully chosen to ensure impartiality despite the media scrutiny. Over several weeks, they are presented with complex financial records, forensic accounting reports, and testimony from numerous witnesses. After closing arguments, the jury retires to deliberate. For Ms. Reed to be convicted, all twelve jurors must unanimously agree that the prosecution has proven her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one juror holds a different view, it could lead to a hung jury, highlighting the strict requirement for a unanimous verdict in serious criminal cases.