petty jury
Definition
Noun: A petty jury is a group of citizens, typically consisting of 12 people, who are sworn to listen to the evidence presented in a trial and to determine the facts of the case. Based on these facts and the judge's instructions on the law, the petty jury decides the verdict (guilty or not guilty in criminal cases, or liable or not liable in civil cases). It is also commonly called a trial jury.
Usage
The term "petty jury" is used specifically in legal contexts to distinguish the trial jury from a grand jury. The petty jury hears the full trial and renders a final verdict, while a grand jury decides only whether there is enough evidence to bring formal charges.
Examples
- The petty jury deliberated for two days before reaching a unanimous verdict of not guilty.
- In a civil lawsuit, the petty jury found the defendant liable for damages.
- The judge instructed the petty jury on the relevant laws before they began their deliberations.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The term "petty" derives from the Old French word , meaning "small." Historically, it distinguished the smaller trial jury (the petty jury) from the larger grand jury. In modern legal English, "trial jury" or simply "jury" is more common, but "petty jury" remains a correct technical term.
- "To serve on a petty jury": This phrase means to fulfill one's duty as a member of a trial jury.
- All citizens may be called to serve on a petty jury.
Variants and Related Words
- Trial Jury (n): The most common modern synonym for "petty jury."
- Petit Jury (n): An alternative spelling, pronounced the same way (/ˈpɛti/), which is also frequently used in legal documents.
- Jury (n): The general term. In context, "the jury" almost always refers to the petty/trial jury.
- Grand Jury (n): A contrasting type of jury that investigates potential crimes and issues indictments, but does not determine guilt or innocence at trial.
- Juror (n): A single member of a petty jury.
- Jury Duty (n): The obligation to serve as a juror.
Synonyms
- Trial jury
- Common jury (less common)
Antonyms / Contrasting Terms
- Grand Jury: A jury that determines whether to issue an indictment, not a trial verdict.
- Bench Trial: A trial where a judge, not a jury, decides the verdict.
Noun
-
a jury of 12 to determine the facts and decide the issue in civil or criminal proceedings
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