What is a jury trial in civil litigation?

A jury trial in civil litigation is a legal proceeding in which a jury—a panel of citizens—listens to the arguments of both the plaintiff and defendant, then renders a verdict on matters of fact. The jury decides whether the plaintiff has proved their case and, if so, whether they are entitled to damages. In the state of Florida, civil litigation jury trials are governed by the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules provide instructions on how jury trials should be conducted, what evidence may be presented, and how the jury should ultimately decide the case. In a civil jury trial, each party is allowed to present their evidence and to make an argument for their side of the case. After hearing all evidence and arguments, the jury is instructed on the applicable law and then deliberates. When a verdict has been reached, the jury "returns" their verdict to the court. Since the verdict is based on the evidence and arguments presented in court, a jury trial can be a lengthy process. It is how the American judicial system works to ensure that justice is served and that people are able to hold each other accountable for their actions.

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What is a jury trial in civil litigation?

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