What is a jury trial?

A jury trial is a type of court proceeding used in North Carolina that involves a group of randomly-selected citizens, known as a jury, deciding the outcome of a case by listening to evidence presented by attorneys and then deliberating in private. A jury trial is always heard by a judge but the jury—not the judge—has the power to decide and make a final verdict on the case. In a jury trial, attorneys representing each side present evidence in the form of witness accounts, video recordings, and even physical evidence. The jury listens carefully to all evidence presented and then has the power to decide whether the presented facts support a conviction or an acquittal. The jury is instructed on the law applicable to the case, and after deliberating in private will return a verdict of guilty or not guilty. The jury’s decision is legally binding and must be respected by the court. If a jury trial is waived by the defendant, they will opt instead for a bench trial, or a “trial by judge.” In this type of trial, the judge acts both as the fact-finder and the decision-maker, and makes a final ruling on the case. This means that the judge alone has the power to decide the outcome of the case instead of leaving it up to a jury.

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