The legal concept of a jury trial can be complex, requiring a thorough understanding of the justice system and the laws of your state. In simple terms, a jury trial is a court proceeding in which the jury – made up of 12 citizens (“jurors”) – decides whether a defendant is innocent or guilty. The jury’s decision is based on the evidence and arguments presented by the defendant’s lawyer and the prosecutor.
The Right to a Jury Trial
The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects a person’s right to a jury trial in criminal proceedings, including “serious offenses” such as murder, rape, and robbery. The right also applies to civil lawsuits, though in some cases – such as in small claims court or as part of an arbitration agreement – a litigant can waive his or her right to a jury trial. In matters of public interest, the Supreme Court may also decide to hear the case without a jury.
The Stages of a Jury Trial
A jury trial typically includes three stages: jury selection, opening statements, and deliberations. In jury selection, the lawyers on each side have a limited number of “strikes”, meaning potential jurors are either accepted or rejected based on the attorneys’ opinions. Opening statements are brief summaries of each side’s case, and the jury then hears witnesses testify and examine evidence, such as videos, photos, testimonies, and financial records. In the last stage, jurors discuss the facts presented and make a unanimous decision.
Examples of Jury Trials
Recent headline-grabbing jury trials include the 2018 trial of Bill Cosby, in which Cosby was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault, and the 2019 trial of Jodi Arias, in which Arias was convicted of first-degree murder. Another high-profile jury trial that concluded in 2019 was the trial of Paul Manafort, a former advisor to President Donald Trump. Manafort was ultimately found guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud.
Conclusion
Jury trials are an important part of the U.S. legal system, ensuring that everyone accused of a crime receives a fair and impartial trial. Understanding the rights and responsibilities of a jury trial is essential to participating as a juror or litigant in an American courtroom.