Petit Jury

views updated

PETIT JURY

The petit jury is the trial jury, as distinguished from the grand jury. The petit jury decides questions of fact in cases at law, and renders the verdict, formally declaring its findings. Traditionally, in Anglo-American law, the jury decided by unanimous vote of twelve members, but this is not constitutionally required.

Dennis J. Mahoney
(1986)

(see also: Jury Discrimination; Jury Size; Jury Unanimity; Trial by Jury.)