petit jury | Definition

A petit jury in criminal justice is a group of 6-12 impartial citizens who determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a trial.

A petit jury is a group of citizens who are selected to hear evidence presented in a criminal trial and determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant. Petit juries are also known as trial juries, and they typically consist of 6 to 12 people, depending on the jurisdiction and the type of case being tried.

The purpose of a petit jury is to provide an impartial group of individuals who can assess the evidence presented in a trial and make a fair and just decision based on that evidence. Petit juries are chosen from a pool of eligible citizens who have been summoned for jury duty. They are typically selected through a process called voir dire, in which prospective jurors are questioned by the prosecution and defense attorneys to determine their ability to be fair and impartial in the case.

Once selected, petit jurors are responsible for listening to the evidence presented by both sides in the trial and then deliberating to reach a verdict. The verdict must be reached by a unanimous decision unless the jury cannot reach a unanimous decision, in which case a mistrial may be declared, and the case may be retried with a new jury.