What is the purpose of a criminal jury?

The purpose of a criminal jury is to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal trial. A criminal jury is made up of 12 individuals that are randomly selected from the community. The jury is responsible for hearing evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense, and then determining if the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In Indiana, the jury must reach a unanimous decision—all 12 jurors must be in agreement—in order for it to be considered valid. If the jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision, it is known as a “hung jury.” In this situation, the trial can be retried with a new jury, or the prosecution can drop the charges. A criminal jury plays an extremely important role in the justice system. By requiring that all 12 jurors agree, it ensures that the accused is treated fairly, and it prevents someone from being wrongfully convicted. It also ensures that the accused has a chance of being acquitted if there is reasonable doubt in their guilt. Finally, a criminal jury serves as a check on the power of the government, making sure that they only convict people who are actually guilty of a crime.

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