jury trial

noun

: a trial that is decided by a jury
I demand my right to a jury trial.

Examples of jury trial in a Sentence

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The jury trial was slated to have testimony from some high-profile figures including John Legend, whom Dixon had tried to sign to the label. Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026 The suit seeks a jury trial and damages. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026 The lawsuit requests a jury trial. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026 The former Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers star is asking for a jury trial and seeking damages exceeding $75,000. Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jury trial

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“Jury trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jury%20trial. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

Legal Definition

jury trial

noun
: a trial in which a jury serves as the trier of fact

called also trial by jury

compare bench trial

Note: The right to a jury trial is established in the U.S. Constitution, but it is not an absolute right. The Supreme Court has stated that petty crimes (as those carrying a sentence of up to 6 months) do not require trial by jury. The right to a jury trial in a criminal case may be waived by the “express and intelligent consent” of the defendant, usually in writing, as well as, in federal cases, the approval of the court and consent of the prosecutor. There is no right to a jury trial in equity cases. When a civil case involves both legal and equitable issues or procedure, either party may demand a jury trial (and failure to do so is taken as a waiver), but the judge may find that there is no right to a jury trial because of equitable issues or claims.

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