What is the scope of the right to jury trial under the Seventh Amendment?

The Seventh Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases. The scope of the Seventh Amendment is limited to civil cases that are tried in the federal courts. The Seventh Amendment does not extend to criminal trials, which are tried in state courts. In Florida, Article I, Section 22 of the Florida Constitution also guarantees the right to a jury trial in any civil action “involving an amount in controversy.” The exact amount which must be in dispute to trigger the right to a trial by jury varies from one court to another. Generally, the amount must be more than $15,000 in some Florida courts, and more than $30,000 in others. This means any civil dispute, including a breach of contract, involving an amount in controversy of $15,000 or more is entitled to a jury trial in Florida. The Seventh Amendment also guarantees a jury made up of twelve persons for civil cases brought in federal court. However, in the case of a jury trial in state court, the jury can consist of fewer than twelve jurors. In some states, including Florida, a jury trial in a civil case can consist of six jurors. The Seventh Amendment also bars a judge from overturning a jury’s decision in a civil case. This means that when a case is tried before a jury, the jury’s decision is final and binding in both state and federal court cases.

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What is the scope of the right to jury trial under the Seventh Amendment?

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