Trial By Jury

Introduction

The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution gives an accused person the right to a speedy public trial by a jury in the state where the crime took place. A defendant must be told what the charges are and is entitled to have a lawyer to defend him or her.

A trial jury is made up of twelve persons who live in the community. They are chosen at random from lists of voters or taxpayers. They must decide, after hearing both sides of the case, whether a person is guilty or not guilty. After hearing the evidence, all twelve members must agree on the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

Trial By Jury

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.1

Trial By Jury and the U.S. Constitution

Resources

See Also

References

This text about Trial By Jury is based on “The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation”, published by the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Notes

[Footnote 1] See the Sixth Amendment.

Trial By JuryIn General

See analysis under the Sixth Amendment.

Trial By Jury and the U.S. Constitution

Resources

See Also

References

This text about Trial By Jury is based on “The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation”, published by the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Notes