A juror is a person selected to serve on a Jury and decide factual questions in a case under the court’s instructions. Jurors listen to testimony, review evidence, and help render a verdict or other decision required by the proceeding.

Federal courts use jurors in both criminal and civil trials, and different types of juries serve different functions.

Juror Explained

A juror’s role is to decide the facts in accordance with the law explained by the judge. Jurors are expected to remain impartial, consider only the admitted evidence, and avoid outside research or improper influence.

The Term Juror in Different Legal Contexts

In a petit jury, jurors decide criminal and civil cases. In a criminal case, they determine whether the government proved the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil case, they decide whether the plaintiff proved the claim under the applicable standard.

Grand jurors serve a different role. They review evidence presented by a prosecutor to decide whether there is probable cause to issue an indictment, rather than deciding guilt or liability after trial.

Common Misconceptions About the Meaning of Juror

A common misconception is that every juror performs the same task. Trial jurors and grand jurors have different functions and operate under different procedures.

Another misconception is that jurors decide legal questions on their own. In most cases, jurors decide the facts, while the judge explains the governing law.