- The role of a jury in a criminal trial is to listen to the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense, deliberate on the facts, and determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based on the law and the evidence.
- The accused has the right to be tried by a jury of their peers, meaning a group of impartial citizens who will decide their guilt or innocence.
- All twelve jurors must agree unanimously to reach a verdict in a criminal trial.
- If the jury does not reach a verdict, it is called a hung jury, and the case may result in a mistrial, potentially leading to a retrial.
- The prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a guilty verdict.
- “Reasonable doubt” is the standard of proof required in criminal cases; it means that the evidence must be so convincing that there is no reasonable doubt in the mind of a reasonable person that the defendant is guilty.
- “Burden of proof” refers to the obligation of the prosecution to prove the defendant’s guilt; the defendant does not have to prove their innocence.
- The defendant is charged with first-degree murder.
- The punishment for first-degree murder is death or life imprisonment without parole.
- Juror #8 voted “not guilty” because he believed there was reasonable doubt about the defendant’s guilt and wanted to ensure a fair and thorough deliberation before condemning someone to death.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 12 angry men worksheet.
