Juries: Grand vs. Petit
What is a Jury?
A jury is a group of citizens who are sworn to hear evidence in a trial and make a decision, or "verdict," based on that evidence.
Types of Juries
Grand Juries
A grand jury is a group of citizens who are tasked with deciding whether or not there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. Grand juries are private, meaning that the proceedings are not open to the public.
Petit Juries
A petit jury is a group of citizens who are tasked with deciding whether or not the defendant is guilty of the charges against them. Petit juries are public, meaning that the proceedings are open to the public.
Differences Between Grand and Petit Juries
The main difference between grand and petit juries is the scope of their authority. Grand juries are only responsible for deciding whether or not to charge someone with a crime, while petit juries are responsible for deciding whether or not the defendant is guilty.
Another difference between grand and petit juries is the way they are selected. Grand jurors are randomly selected from a pool of registered voters, while petit jurors are selected from a pool of people who have been summoned for jury duty.
Conclusion
Juries play a vital role in the American justice system. They are responsible for ensuring that people are not falsely accused of crimes and that those who are guilty are held accountable for their actions.
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