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.
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.
The court shall grant a new trial only if: (1) the jurors decided the verdict by lot; (2) the verdict is contrary to law or the weight of the evidence; or (3) new and material evidence, which, if introduced at the trial would probably have changed the verdict or finding of the court, and which the defendant could not ...
How are jurors selected for jury service? Prospective jurors are randomly selected from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records.
The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that criminal defendants have a right to a jury trial "in all criminal prosecutions." However, the Supreme Court's interpretation of this constitutional right limits the right to a jury trial only in instances where the criminal charges constitute "serious offenses.
(9) Any person who, because of mental illness, intellectual disability, senility, or other physical or mental incapacity, is permanently incapable of caring for himself or herself may be permanently excused from jury service upon request if the request is accompanied by a written statement to that effect from a ...
Defendants generally trust that a jury will acquit or render a not guilty verdict more often (than a judge). The O.J. trial certainly validated this belief. Both the defendant and the People have the right to a jury trial in misdemeanor and felony trials (California Constitution, Article I, § 16 and Penal Code § 699).
Unlike an impartial judge, the panel of individuals on your jury could be swayed by emotion and personal experience. This may work in your favor. If you have been overcharged for the crime in question or are a sympathetic defendant, some jurors may be more likely to back you.