PETTY JURY Meaning and
Definition
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A petty jury, also commonly known as a trial jury or a jury of trial, is a group of individuals that is legally selected and sworn in to hear evidence in a court of law and render a verdict on a specific case. The purpose of a petty jury is to achieve a fair and impartial judgment by considering the facts presented during a trial and applying them to the applicable laws and regulations in order to reach a decision.
Typically composed of a specific number of individuals, usually 12, the members of the petty jury are chosen at random from a pool of potential jurors, who are often registered voters or citizens with identification records. The selection process ensures that the jury is made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds in order to represent a cross-section of society.
During the course of a trial, the judge presiding over the case provides jury instructions, explaining the relevant laws and legal principles that apply. The members of the jury then listen to the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense, including witness testimonies, exhibits, and arguments. After considering all the evidence, the members deliberate together in a private setting to decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused, or to reach a conclusion in civil cases.
The verdict of a petty jury is determined by a majority vote, with agreement typically required from at least two-thirds or three-fourths of the jurors, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the case. Once a verdict is reached, it is formally announced in the courtroom, concluding the trial and determining the outcome for the parties involved.
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A jury of twelve men to try ordinary or small cases in a court.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PETTY JURY
- oetty jury
- letty jury
- -etty jury
- 0etty jury
- pwtty jury
- pstty jury
- pdtty jury
- prtty jury
- p4tty jury
- p3tty jury
- perty jury
- pefty jury
- pegty jury
- peyty jury
- pe6ty jury
- pe5ty jury
- petry jury
- petfy jury
- petgy jury
Etymology of PETTY JURY
The word "petty" in the term "petty jury" originates from the Old French word "petit", meaning "small" or "minor". The adjective "petit" was used to distinguish the smaller scale of disputes heard by such juries, in comparison to more serious cases that would be dealt with by a "grand jury". Therefore, the term "petit jury" was used to refer to the group of individuals selected to hear and determine the verdict in a trial. Over time, "petit" evolved into "petty" in English usage, and the term "petty jury" is still used today to describe the jury responsible for reaching a decision in a criminal or civil trial.
Similar spelling word for PETTY JURY
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