Definition

Noun: * The Jury Box: A specific, often partitioned, seating area within a courtroom where the members of the jury sit during a trial.

Usage

The term "jury box" is used to refer to the physical location of the jury. It is a standard feature of courtrooms in common law systems. * The jurors filed into the jury box and took their seats. * The lawyer approached the jury box to address the panel directly. * From the jury box, the jurors had a clear view of the witness stand.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in/out of the jury box": This phrase literally describes the jurors' location, but can figuratively imply whether they are actively hearing evidence or are in recess.
  • The jurors spent eight hours in the jury box listening to testimony.

Variants and Related Words

• Jury (n): The group of people sworn to render a verdict in a trial.
• Jury Room (n): A separate, private room where the jury deliberates to reach a verdict. This is distinct from the "jury box."
• Jury Panel (n): The group of potential jurors from which the final jury is selected.

Synonyms

• Jury enclosure: A less common, more descriptive synonym.
• Jury seating: A functional description of the area.

Related Phrases

• "To address the box": A legal phrase meaning for an attorney to speak directly to the jury.
  • In his closing argument, the defense attorney turned to address the box.

Noun

1. an enclosure within a courtroom for the jury