jury trial

noun

: a trial that is decided by a jury
I demand my right to a jury trial.

Examples of jury trial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The judge in the hearing ruled there was enough evidence to warrant a jury trial. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025 The lawsuit demands a jury trial and seeks more than $50,000 in damages. Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2025 Baldwin is requesting a jury trial and seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Ashley Hume, Fox News, 10 Jan. 2025 Annie Altman requested a jury trial for her brother, along with damages in excess of $75,000. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for jury trial 

Dictionary Entries Near jury trial

Cite this Entry

“Jury trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jury%20trial. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

jury trial

noun
: a trial in which a jury serves as the trier of fact

called also trial by jury

compare bench trial

Note: The right to a jury trial is established in the U.S. Constitution, but it is not an absolute right. The Supreme Court has stated that petty crimes (as those carrying a sentence of up to 6 months) do not require trial by jury. The right to a jury trial in a criminal case may be waived by the “express and intelligent consent” of the defendant, usually in writing, as well as, in federal cases, the approval of the court and consent of the prosecutor. There is no right to a jury trial in equity cases. When a civil case involves both legal and equitable issues or procedure, either party may demand a jury trial (and failure to do so is taken as a waiver), but the judge may find that there is no right to a jury trial because of equitable issues or claims.

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