Is a jury trial serious?

Asked by: Rachel Gottlieb DDS | Last update: February 20, 2026

Score: 4.5/5 (7 votes)

Yes, a jury trial is a very serious legal proceeding, especially in the U.S., where it's a constitutional right for serious criminal offenses (punishable by more than six months) and involves a significant commitment of time and resources, with 6 to 12 citizens deciding guilt or liability based on evidence and law, a decision with high stakes for the defendant. The seriousness comes from the weighty responsibility placed on jurors, the potential life-altering outcomes, and the formal process designed to ensure fairness and community involvement in justice.

Is trial by jury a good thing?

Trial by jury helps the criminal justice system reflect the values and standards of the general public. It's vital for the health of the criminal justice system that citizens participate in it and it is vital for democracy that they do, which might explain why politicians are always seeking to limit that participation.

What does it mean when a case goes to jury trial?

A jury trial is a legal proceeding where a group of ordinary citizens (the jury) listens to evidence and arguments from both sides in a case and then decides the facts and renders a verdict, determining guilt in criminal cases or liability in civil cases, distinct from a bench trial where a judge makes all decisions. The jury's role is to find the facts, while the judge handles legal issues.

What percent of jury trials are guilty?

18 percent of jury trials resulted in acquittal, and 82 percent resulted in a conviction. Mistrials, where a trial ends without a verdict, are very rare. As most cases do not go to trial, convictions were the result in 42 percent of total criminal cases, whereas acquittals were only 0.2 percent of the total.

Is a jury trial risky?

Juries can be unpredictable.

This can lead to unpredictable results for both sides. Although this risk is always present, effective trial lawyers can reduce the risk by making their points directly, clearly, and with strong evidence.

Jury trials to be scrapped for defendants facing sentences of three years or less

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What are the cons of a jury trial?

Con: jurors can be biased

Like all humans, jurors are "fallible beings" who may have biases that can lead to confirmation bias – when jury members distort the evidence "against their preferred verdict", or give "more weight to the evidence that favours their preference".

What if I cry during jury duty?

Crying alone may not be juror misconduct. But there are circumstances where a juror's emotions may result in an unfair trial.

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.

How often do cases actually go to trial?

Many cases are dismissed by lack of cooperation of witnesses, lack of evidence, legal issues, and/or because a defendant qualifies for a conditional dismissal or diversion. Stats have these scenarios taking up 5-8% of all the cases. So, if you do the math, that leaves roughly 2-5% of cases going to trial.

What are the odds of getting selected for jury duty?

The odds of being selected for jury duty vary, but generally, about 14-15% of U.S. adults get summoned, though only a fraction actually serve, with estimates suggesting under 5% of those summoned end up on a sworn jury, as many are excused or the need for their service ends. Factors like location, eligibility (age, citizenship, felony status), and the specific needs of local courts significantly impact individual chances, with federal service having even lower probabilities.

Is it better to do trial by judge or jury?

Lawyer folk wisdom often points to choosing a jury if a case has emotional appeal, and choosing a judge if a case is complex and based on technical legal questions. Of course, you may end up with a jury trial even if you prefer a judge trial because your adversary may have an independent right to insist on having one.

How long is a typical jury trial?

The average jury trial is approximately two to three consecutive days. However, a more complex trial that involves many witnesses may last longer. Prospective jurors are advised of the expected length of the trial before they are actually selected.

What are the three possible outcomes of a jury trial?

Possible Outcomes

The jury's decision can result in various outcomes: a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, a verdict in favor of the defendant, or, occasionally, a hung jury if they cannot agree. The verdict is then announced in court, concluding the trial.

Is it good if a case goes to trial?

Possibility of Acquittal: Going to trial offers the defendant a chance to be acquitted, ultimately clearing their name of any wrongdoing. If the evidence is weak or if there are legal flaws in the prosecution's case, a favorable verdict can be achieved.

Why would someone want a jury trial?

When Is It Better to Choose a Jury Trial? When the facts are clearly in your favor, and you believe the jury will sympathize with your case. If you have a likable defendant and strong evidence, and you want to leave the decision to a group of peers.

Can jurors speak after a trial?

Do not talk to anyone about your deliberations or about the verdict until you are discharged from the case by the judge. After discharge, you may discuss the verdict and the deliberations with anyone, including the media, the lawyers, or your family. But you are not obligated to do so.

What cases are the most likely to go to trial?

Quick answer: The practice areas that tend to go to trial most often are criminal defense (including public defenders), prosecutors, and high-conflict segments of civil litigation such as personal injury (plaintiff and insurance defense), employment disputes, and certain commercial cases.

What happens to 90% of court cases?

According to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, "The overwhelming majority (90 to 95 percent) of cases result in plea bargaining."

What percent of cases settle before trial?

The vast majority of civil cases, generally 95% to 97%, are settled or resolved before trial, with only a small fraction (around 3-5%) reaching a courtroom verdict, highlighting that trials are relatively rare events in the U.S. legal system, especially for personal injury claims where rates can exceed 97%. This high settlement rate stems from the costs, time, and unpredictability associated with trials, making settlements a preferred method for resolving disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants.

What is the stupidest court case?

We all know the most famous frivolous lawsuit story. Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's back in 1992 when she spilled hot coffee on herself. "But coffee is meant to be hot" we all cry. Dig a little deeper into the case however and it starts to look less frivolous.

How to easily win a court case?

Whether you represent yourself or hire an attorney, there are things you can do to ensure a good result in your case.

Find the Right Court. ...
Litigate for the Right Reasons. ...
Mediate Instead of Litigate. ...
Communicate With Your Attorney. ...
Be Willing to Negotiate. ...
Follow Court Procedures. ...
You'll Need a Good Lawyer.

What percentage of cases never go to court?

About 95% of all cases filed with the court never go to trial. This does not mean that 95% of all cases settle. Some of the filed cases never settle or go to trial because a judge determines the case has no merit and stops the case before it makes it to trial.

What color do judges like to see in court?

Judges generally prefer neutral, conservative colors like navy, gray, black, and white, as these convey seriousness, respect, and professionalism, avoiding distractions in a formal court setting; bright colors, bold patterns, and overly casual attire should be avoided to show you're taking the proceedings seriously. While some suggest lighter, muted tones (like light blue) might leave a favorable impression, the key is sobriety and fitting in, not standing out.

What should you never say in court?

In court, avoid lying, interrupting, arguing, using slang/sarcasm, getting emotional, insulting others (judge, lawyers, parties), giving extra info, blaming, or saying "I don't know" or "by the way," focusing instead on being honest, respectful, clear, and sticking to facts to maintain credibility and avoid serious trouble like contempt.

Is it scary to be a juror?

It takes a lot of courage to serve on a jury. Some cases are very violent and brutal and hard to deal with. But the case is now over, and it is important for you to get on with your life. If you are fearful of retaliation or if you are threatened after the trial, tell the court and/or law enforcement immediately.