Ing to the Supreme Court, the jury-trial right applies only when "serious" offenses are at hand—petty offenses don't invoke it. For purposes of this right, a serious offense is one that carries a potential sentence of more than six months' imprisonment.
What type of cases may require juries? There are two types of cases, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) and civil. A civil case results from a disagreement or dispute between two or more parties. Jurors must answer questions of disputed facts based upon the testimony and evidence admitted by the judge.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed. U.S. Const. amend.
Serious Offenses Only ing to the Supreme Court, the jury-trial right applies only when "serious" offenses are at hand—petty offenses don't invoke it. For purposes of this right, a serious offense is one that carries a potential sentence of more than six months' imprisonment.
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...
Amendment Seven to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the right for citizens to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value. It also prohibits judges in these trials from overruling facts revealed by the jury.
Therefore, the constitutional right to a jury trial only applies to prosecutions involving serious offenses. A serious offense is one where the charged offense carries a maximum penalty of more than six months' imprisonment.
Amendment Seven to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the right for citizens to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value.
At 4, 7 (noting that both the Sixth Amendment and Article III provide for jury trials in criminal cases, but proceeding to analyze only the Sixth Amendment in holding that the right to a jury trial requires a unanimous verdict in both state and federal court); Duncan v.
Sixth Amendment Criminal Prosecutions - Jury Trial, Right to Confront and to Counsel (1791) (see explanation) Seventh Amendment Common Law Suits - Jury Trial (1791) (see explanation) Eighth Amendment Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment (1791) (see explanation)