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

His Jefferson County jury trial had been set for June 23, but a sentencing hearing is now scheduled for Jan. 22. —Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 11 Dec. 2024

The judge’s ruling clears the way for a jury trial, which Florida court records show is scheduled to begin next month. —Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024

Court filings show the jury trial is scheduled daily at 8:30 a.m. from Monday, Dec. 9, through Friday, Dec. 13. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024

The jury trial in the murder of Sade Robinson is now scheduled for May 27, with a scheduling conference and a pre-trial hearing in the months prior. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024

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.