jury

A jury is a group of citizens who listen to facts presented in a trial and make a decision regarding a person’s guilt or innocence.

• Anyone who is an American citizen can serve on a jury in the United States.
• A trial by a jury of one’s peers usually results in good decisions.
• The jury system in the United States is not foolproof. Mistakes can be made.
• If you receive a notice in the mail stating that you’ve been chosen for jury duty, you must go.
• Choosing not to show up for jury duty is a punishable offense. (You will get in trouble for not showing up.)
• Jury duty begins with participation in a jury pool. A jury pool is a large group of potential jurors (50 to 60 people).
• Lawyers talk directly to the jury.
• Judges give the jury advice regarding the decision-making process.

A person who is chosen to show up for jury duty is called a juror.

• If you are chosen to be a juror, you will have the privilege to witness first hand how the legal system works in the United States.
• Jurors may serve on a jury for up to two weeks (or more), depending on the complexity of the case being decided.
• Jurors are chosen from a jury pool. (pool = a group of people)

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Date of publication: October 12, 2016