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

The filing requests a jury trial, with the 29-year-old seeking compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 1 Nov. 2024

The suit says the former president seeks a jury trial and at least $10 billion in damages. —CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024

The suit demanded a jury trial and about $10 billion in damages, the filing showed. —Reuters, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

Trump has requested a full jury trial in addition to the monetary damages. —Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 31 Oct. 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.