In the legal field, a veniremen is an individual summoned to be part of a jury. This term is used to refer to jurors specifically in a criminal court setting, where they are responsible for determining the innocence or guilt of the person on trial, and to establish whether or not a crime has been committed. Veniremen may also be referred to as “grand jurors,” depending on the jurisdiction.
History of Veniremen
The term veniremen originally appears in early common law records, dating back to as early as 1297. Its original meaning was to signify one who was “summoned” to court, based on the Latin root word venire, which can be translated as “to come.” Over hundreds of years, this term has been used to refer to jury members who are summoned for a particular trial.
Choosing Jurors
The selection process for jurors varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In the United States, potential jurors are usually identified through a county-maintained list of activated voters. In some states, employers and secondary education institutions are also tapped to find potential jurors. After potential jurors are identified, they are then sent a summons to appear for jury duty. During this process, a list of veniremen — potential jurors — are identified, and those individuals are randomly selected to fill the jury by the court clerk or presiding judge.
Role of Veniremen
The role of veniremen is highly important in U.S. and other judicial systems. In a criminal court setting, the individual veniremen sit in a panel of twelve to ascertain guilt or innocence. Before the trial begins, each member of the jury must be given instructions about how to evaluate the evidence presented, and must promise to be impartial and unbiased. Each venireman is required to be present during the proceedings, and must deliberate and decide the accused’s guilt or innocence based on the provided facts and evidence.
Juror Rights & Responsibilities
As a venireman, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities in the jury selection process. The right to be present in the jury room, and the right to participate in the deliberations are part of your court-granted privileges. Additionally, it is important to remember that veniremen are expected to be impartial and must be willing to weigh the evidence objectively. By following these guidelines, veniremen ensure that the judicial process and the American legal system remains impartial and just.