Definition

1. Noun:
   • A group of people sworn to render a verdict in a legal case based on evidence presented in court: A jury is a body of citizens selected to hear the evidence in a trial and decide questions of fact, such as guilt or innocence in a criminal case, or liability in a civil case.
   • A committee appointed to judge a competition: A jury can also refer to a group of people chosen to evaluate entries in a contest and decide on the winners.

Usage

• The primary function of a jury is to serve in a court of law. Jurors are ordinary citizens who are selected, sworn in, and given instructions by a judge.
• In non-legal contexts, a jury is a panel of experts or judges for competitions, awards, or exhibitions.

Examples

• Legal Context:
  • The jury deliberated for ten hours before reaching a verdict.
  • She was selected to serve on the jury for a high-profile murder trial.
• Competition Context:
  • The film jury awarded the prize to a debut director.
  • A jury of chefs will taste all the dishes and select a winner.

Advanced Usage

• "to be tried by a jury of one's peers": This phrase emphasizes the legal principle that a person should be judged by a jury composed of fellow citizens from the same community.
  • The right to be tried by a jury of one's peers is a fundamental legal protection.
• "the jury is (still) out": This idiom means that a decision has not been reached or that the outcome is still uncertain. It is used in both legal and general contexts.
  • The jury is still out on whether the new policy will be effective. (Meaning: It is not yet decided or known.)

Variants and Related Words

• Juror (n): An individual member of a jury.
  • One juror was excused due to illness.
• Jury duty (n): The civic obligation to serve on a jury when summoned.
  • He received a summons for jury duty.
• Jury box (n): The enclosed area in a courtroom where the jury sits.
  • The jurors filed into the jury box.

Synonyms

• Panel: A group of people brought together to judge, discuss, or investigate something. (Common in competition contexts: ).
• Tribunal: A body established to settle certain types of dispute. (This is more formal and often refers to an official, appointed group, not necessarily a citizen jury).

Related Phrases

• Grand jury: A jury that examines accusations against persons charged with a crime and decides whether the evidence warrants an indictment (formal charges).
  • The grand jury decided there was enough evidence to indict the suspect.
• Hang the jury: This occurs when a jury cannot agree upon a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial.
  • The single dissenting vote caused the jury to hang.
• Jury tampering: The illegal act of attempting to influence a jury's decision through bribery, threats, or other means.
  • The defendant was charged with jury tampering.

Idioms

• "Jury-rig" (verb): To assemble or fix something quickly with whatever materials are available, as a temporary solution. (Note: This is a distinct term with a different origin, not directly related to the legal "jury," but it is a common homophone).
  • We had to jury-rig a shelter using branches and a tarp.

Noun

1. a committee appointed to judge a competition
2. a body of citizens sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law