Glossary: Jury

Jury:

A jury is a group of people given power by the law to make findings of fact. During trial, the jury may be instructed to determine the truth of disputed facts. Following the trial judge’s directions and instructions, the jury may be asked to apply legal concepts to the particular facts presented during trial.

 A judge may be publicly elected or officially appointed, depending on the court. A particular court may have more than one judge. For example, some “appellate” courts–which are courts that determine appeals from lower level courts–have multiple judges who sit on a panel. A judge can perform an array of judicial functions, including presiding over a jury trial. A jury is a body of people who can be asked by the judge to perform certain fact-finding functions. For example, a judge may ask the jury to apply complex legal concepts to the facts that come out at trial. A judge may also ask the jury to determine whether it finds a witness, or multiple witnesses, credible or believable. 

Who is Eligible to be a Member of the Jury?

According to the New York court system, persons who are a United States citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of the county which he or she is summoned to serve may be eligible to serve as a juror in the New York court system. A person who has been convicted of a felony crime will generally be disqualified.