Jury is one of the most interesting and important aspects of democracy in the US. It’s a chance for ordinary citizens to shape the legal process and safeguard it from abuse by government actors. And it’s an opportunity to meet and connect with fellow citizens who have different viewpoints from your own.
The people who serve on a jury are selected randomly from the community. They represent a cross-section of the population, from blue-collar workers to white-collar executives and stay-at-home spouses to students. They are your peers who bring a unique perspective that can help you reach the right verdict.
When you’re seated on the jury, the judge will explain the law and evidence in the case to you. The lawyers will also give their closing arguments. Those arguments will help you to fit the pieces of testimony together and connect them up in your mind.
Once the arguments have been given, the judge will instruct you on how to make your decision. It is your responsibility to take those instructions seriously. It is a crime to be influenced by any person who is not a member of your jury during deliberations.
Occasionally, people are removed from the jury before they finish their service because the prosecution or defense have concerns that they can’t be fair. This is called a peremptory challenge, and it’s a legal right that both sides have long used to ensure that their jury panel has the right mix of perspectives.