petty juror
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A petty juror is a member of a petit jury. A petit jury, also known as a trial jury, is a group of citizens sworn to hear the evidence in a trial and to deliver a verdict (a decision) based on the facts presented to them. The role of a petty juror is to participate in this decision-making process for a specific case.
Usage
The term "petty juror" is used in formal, legal contexts to refer to an individual serving on a trial jury. It distinguishes them from a "grand juror," who serves on a grand jury that decides whether to issue an indictment.
Examples
- The judge instructed the petty jurors on the relevant laws before they began deliberations.
- Being selected as a petty juror is an important civic duty.
- Twelve petty jurors were sworn in for the high-profile criminal trial.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in the plural ("petty jurors") as they serve as a group.
- In many modern legal discussions, the more common term "juror" or "trial juror" is used instead of "petty juror," though "petty juror" remains the precise technical term.
Variants and Related Words
- Petit Jury (n): The trial jury itself, of which a petty juror is a member. This is the source of the term "petty juror" ("petit" is French for "small").
- Juror (n): A general term for a member of any jury, including a petty juror or a grand juror.
- Grand Juror (n): A member of a grand jury, which has a different function (investigating potential crimes and issuing indictments) than a petit jury.
Synonyms
- Trial juror
- Juror (in the context of a trial)
- Petit juror (an alternate, less common spelling)
Antonyms
- Grand juror
Noun
- a member of a petit jury