What is a Petit Jury?

If you are selected as a Petit Juror, you will hear a case which is criminal or civil.  A criminal trial will involve a felony (a more serious type of crime.)   The law requires twelve (12) jurors to be seated in a criminal case, only eight (8) jurors are required in a civil case.  In a criminal trial, the jury must find a litigant guilty or not guilty by unanimous vote.  In civil cases, the law requires a vote of a least three-fourths of the jury to reach a verdict.  Most jury trials will seat one to two “alternate-jurors” in the event, sickness or unforeseen circumstances arise in which one of the regular jurors are unable to hear the entire trial.  The alternate-juror hears the trial, in its’ entirely, but does not participate in jury deliberations unless the alternate replaces one of the original jurors.  A petit jury trial typically lasts one to three days, but could be longer depending on the type of case.  

Show All Answers

1. I Received a Summons for Jury Duty?
2. Eligibility to Serve as a Juror?
3. How Long Does Jury Duty Last?
4. What is a Petit Jury?
5. What is a Grand Jury?
6. How Was I Summoned for Jury Duty?
7. How to Request an Excuse from Jury Duty?
8. How Much Will I Be Paid for Jury Duty?
9. Proof For Employer of Your Jury Duty.
10. Emergency - Late Arrival?
11. Is There a Dress Code for Jurors?
12. Juror's Code of Conduct.
13. Do I Need to Call in Every Day to Check Reporting Status?
14. Will I Be Excused for Vacations, Medical Issues, etc.?
15. What Should I Do if I have an Unexpected Event Come Up After My Paperwork was Returned?
16. What if I Have Moved Out of the County or State?
17. What Should I Do if I Have Received a Jury Summons for a Deceased Family Member?
18. What Should I Do if I Have Received a Jury Summons for a Previous Resident of my Home?
19. What if a Family Member is Away at College or in the Military?
20. What if I Have Moved Out of the County or State?
21. Do I Have to Respond to the Jury Summons?
22. What Happens When I Report for Jury Duty?
23. What Happens During Jury Selection on the Trial Date?
24. Where do I Park?
25. What are the Office Hours and Location?