TRAVERSE JURY Meaning and
Definition
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A traverse jury is a type of jury, also known as a trial jury, that is responsible for hearing and evaluating evidence presented in a court of law and determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. As opposed to grand juries which determine if there is enough evidence for an indictment, a traverse jury has the power to render a verdict in a criminal or civil case.
Composed of a group of citizens selected from the community in which the trial is held, traverse juries play a crucial role in the legal system by ensuring an impartial and fair trial. Before being selected, potential jurors must go through a process called voir dire where they are screened for any biases or conflicts of interest that may hinder their ability to consider the evidence objectively.
During a trial, the traverse jury listens to testimonies, examines physical evidence, and weighs the credibility and reliability of witnesses. After all the evidence is presented, the jury deliberates in private to reach a unanimous or majority decision. The verdict they reach can lead to the acquittal or conviction of the defendant, thereby determining their fate and potential legal repercussions.
The use of traverse juries can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, and their importance in civil and criminal trials continues to this day as they provide a vital check on the power of the judiciary and ensure that justice is served based on the facts and evidence presented.
Common Misspellings for TRAVERSE JURY
- rraverse jury
- fraverse jury
- graverse jury
- yraverse jury
- 6raverse jury
- 5raverse jury
- teaverse jury
- tdaverse jury
- tfaverse jury
- ttaverse jury
- t5averse jury
- t4averse jury
- trzverse jury
- trsverse jury
- trwverse jury
- trqverse jury
- tracerse jury
- traberse jury
- tragerse jury
- traferse jury
Etymology of TRAVERSE JURY
The word "traverse" in the context of a jury has its origins in Old French. It comes from the verb "traverser", which means "to cross" or "to travel across". In legal terminology, "traverse" refers to challenging or denying an allegation or claim.
In medieval England, a "traverse jury" referred to a type of jury that was summoned to hear and decide upon issues of fact in criminal cases. The term "traverse" indicated that the jury was expected to cross-examine and weigh the evidence presented before they made a decision. The jury's role was to determine if the prosecution had successfully proven the facts of the case "beyond a reasonable doubt".
Over time, the term "traverse jury" has evolved to simply mean a regular jury, as opposed to a grand jury, which is responsible for determining whether there is enough evidence to indict an individual.
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