Petit Jury Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Petit Jury.

Petit Jury (noun)

A Petit Jury is a group of people usually composed of 12 members that is chosen to observe a trial in a court of law. It's their responsibility to listen to the evidence in a civil or criminal case, review it, and make a decision, or verdict, based on the facts presented. The term "petit" originated from French, signifying "small," distinguishing it from a "grand jury," which involves more people and different duties. Despite its name, a Petit Jury plays a significant role within the justice system.