Legal Studies 2

Trial Jury (petit)

old-fashioned name for the jury sitting to hear a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, called "petit" (small) to distinguish it from a "grand" jury, which has other duties.

Grand Jury

a jury in each county or federal court district which serves for a term of a year (3 months in Massachusetts) and decides whether there is enough evidence to bring the case to trial

Summons

An invitation to come to court

Compulsory

required by law or a rule; obligatory

Prosecution

Attorney representing the government

Defense

Attorney representing a defendant during trial

Jury of your Peers

peer" means an "equal." This has been interpreted by courts to mean that the available jurors include a broad spectrum of the population, particularly of race, national origin and gender

Alternate jurors

Jurors that hear the evidence just as the other jurors do, but they don’t participate in the deliberations unless they replace an original juror

Counsel

Another name for a lawyer

Impartial

treating all equally; fair and just

Venire

the list from which jurors may be selected

Voir Dire

from French "to speak the truth," the questioning of prospective jurors by a judge and attorneys in court to check for bias and other factors.

Peremptory Challenge

the right of a lawyer to excuse a potential juror before trial without stating a reason.

Foreperson

This person's role is to preside over discussions and votes of the jurors and to deliver the verdict

Bailiff

A court officer that serves to keep order and protect members of the jury and prisoners alike

Sequestered

Housed in a hotel and secluded from all contact with other people, newspapers, and news reports

Hung Jury

When all jurors can not agree on a verdict