The Significance of Jury Trials in U.S. Criminal Cases

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The U.S. recognizes the right to jury trial in virtually all criminal cases, including misdemeanor and felony. Twelve members make up a jury. The Sixth Amendment guarantees anyone facing a penalty of no less than six months imprisonment a jury trial. In reality, the Sixth Amendment does entitle the defendant to a jury trial if their offense is punishable by a period of below six months imprisonment. A jury trial helps to check or test out unfetthered prosecutorial power (Ward 83). Prosecutors must decide how and what to charge the defendant while considering that a jury will eventually decide their case upon presenting the evidence. In most cases, prosecutors have enormous powers when making a decision about charging a defendant with a criminal …show more content…

The importance of a jury makes it necessary to understand its function, strengths and weaknesses in a criminal matter. Both the state and federal courts follow the same procedure in impaneling the jury. Most states do not accord minors the right to jury trial in court proceedings related to juvenile delinquency. The jury essentially hears the evidence presented against the defendant and potential defenses. It will then weigh the evidence and ultimately determine if the evidence satisfies the criminal offenses that the defendant has been charged, beyond any reasonable doubt. Numerous and varied rules often surround the jury. The jury mainly focuses on criminal cases because these cases put a person’s liberty at risk. Defendants do not have a right to jury trial if their jail term does not exceed six months. All jurors need to recognize the fact that jury service is a critical duty of citizenship. They may also decide questions that involve crimes for which a trial judge fine, place on probation, or confine defendant to prison. Nevertheless, a jury does not play any role in sentencing, but instead leaves it upon the trial judge to make this decision following all the submissions made by both sides. Overall, the court system must rely upon a jury for the protection of liberty, life, and the pursuit of

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