HopefullyInLawSchool
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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
petty jury
Read a random definition: peremptory writ of mandate (or mandamus)
A quick definition of petty jury:
A petty jury is a group of people who are chosen by the law to decide on the facts of a case and give a verdict. They are usually made up of 6 or 12 people and are only used for a specific trial. Their job is to listen to the evidence presented in court and make a decision based on that evidence. They are different from other types of juries, like grand juries or advisory juries, because they are the ones who make the final decision in a trial.
A more thorough explanation:
A petty jury, also known as a petit jury, is a group of individuals selected according to the law to decide questions of fact and return a verdict in a specific case. The jury is empaneled and summoned to hear a case and make a decision based on the evidence presented to them.
For example, in a criminal trial, a petty jury is selected to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charges brought against them. In a civil trial, the jury is responsible for deciding whether the defendant is liable for damages or not.
The size of a petty jury can vary, but it usually consists of six or twelve individuals. The jury must be impartial and have no opinion about the case at the start of the trial. They base their verdict solely on the evidence presented to them during the trial.