A petty jury is a panel of individuals selected by the legal system to determine the facts of a case and deliver a verdict. Typically consisting of 6 or 12 members, they are exclusively utilised for a particular trial. Their responsibility entails attentively listening to the evidence presented in court and reaching a decision based on that evidence. Distinguishing them from other jury types, such as grand juries or advisory juries, is their role as the ultimate decision-makers in a trial.
A petty jury, also referred to as a petit jury, is a group of individuals chosen in accordance with the law to make factual determinations and deliver a verdict in a specific case. The jury is assembled and called upon to listen to a case and make a decision based on the evidence presented. For instance, in a criminal trial, a petty jury is selected to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant regarding the charges brought against them. In a civil trial, the jury is responsible for determining whether the defendant is liable for damages or not. The size of a petty jury may vary, but it typically consists of six or twelve individuals. The jury must be unbiased and have no preconceived notions about the case at the beginning of the trial. They reach their verdict solely based on the evidence presented during the trial.
A petty jury, also known as a trial jury, is a group of citizens selected to hear evidence in a trial and determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
Petty jurors are selected from a pool of eligible citizens in the jurisdiction where the trial is taking place. They are typically chosen at random and summoned to appear for jury duty.
Qualifications for serving on a petty jury vary by jurisdiction, but generally include being a citizen, being at least 18 years old, and being able to understand and communicate in the language used in the court.
A grand jury is responsible for determining whether there is enough evidence to indict a defendant, while a petty jury is responsible for determining the defendant’s guilt or innocence at trial.
The role of a petty jury is to listen to the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, and then to deliberate and reach a verdict based on that evidence.
The length of service for a petty jury varies depending on the length of the trial. Some trials may only last a few days, while others may last several weeks or even months.
If a petty juror has a legitimate reason for not being able to serve for the entire trial, such as a medical emergency or a family emergency, the court may excuse them and select an alternate juror to take their place.
In some cases, a petty juror may be excused for personal reasons, such as a financial hardship or a previously scheduled vacation. However, the court has the discretion to grant or deny such requests.
If a petty jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial and the case may be retried with a new jury.
In most jurisdictions, petty jurors are compensated for their service, typically at a rate set by the court. They may also receive reimbursement for travel and other expenses related to their jury duty.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/petty-jury/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Petty Jury. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/petty-jury/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Petty Jury. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/petty-jury/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Petty Jury. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/petty-jury/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts