What is a jury trial?

A jury trial is when a criminal case is tried by a group of people, known as a jury, instead of a judge. In Texas, a jury trial is a right provided by the Constitution of Texas. When a jury trial is requested, a jury of 12 people is randomly chosen from a larger pool. All of the jury members must agree unanimously on the guilt or innocence of the accused person. During a jury trial, the judge is responsible for overseeing the proceedings. The lawyers for both the defense and the prosecution present evidence and witnesses. The jury considers all of the evidence and counsels during the trial and then decides on the guilt or innocence of the defendant. Jury trials are used when the accused has been charged with a serious crime, such as murder or assault. In such cases, the prosecutor is looking for the accused to be found guilty and sentenced to a period of incarceration. If the jury finds that the accused is not guilty, then they are declared free from any criminal charge. A jury trial can be an important part of the criminal justice system and ensure that those accused of a crime are given a fair trial.

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