What is a jury trial?

A jury trial is a type of court proceeding in which a group of citizens, known as jurors, hear evidence presented by both sides in a legal case and decide whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty. In the state of Virginia, jury trials are only offered in cases that involve felony charges. The jury typically consists of twelve members, selected from the community, who must reach a unanimous decision in order to convict a defendant. The jury trial process begins with jury selection, where potential jurors are questioned about their backgrounds to determine if they have any biases or preconceived notions about the case. After selection, the court will read the relevant laws to the jurors and present the arguments to be made by both sides. At this point, the jury is deliberating the evidence and deciding whether the prosecutor has proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Once the jury has reached a verdict, they will read it aloud to the court. If the jury finds the defendant guilty, the judge will issue the appropriate sentence. If the defendant is found not guilty, the case is over and the defendant can go free. In Virginia, jury trials are an integral part of the criminal justice system, ensuring that citizens are judged fairly by their peers. Jury trials guarantee defendants the right to a fair trial and help protect their constitutional rights.

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