What are the different types of juries?
Petit Jury: If you are selected to serve on a Petit Jury, you will hear a criminal or civil case. A criminal trial will involve a felony. The law requires twelve jurors to be seated in a criminal case and eight jurors to be seated in a civil case. In a criminal trial, the jury must find a defendant guilty or not guilty by a unanimous vote of all twelve jurors. In civil cases the law requires a vote of at least six of the jurors to reach a verdict. Most jury trials will seat an alternate-juror, in the event of sickness or unforeseen circumstances arise in which one of the regular jurors are unable to attend some portion of the trial. The alternate hears the trial, in its entirety, but does not participate in jury deliberations. Grand Jury: A Grand Jury hears evidence about crimes and decides whether or not a person should be indicted and tried for committing a crime. The grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence.
