glossary

Jurisprudence

The study of law and the structure of the legal system.  

glossary

Jury pool

The group of people from which the actual jury is chosen. The jury pool is randomly selected from a source such as voter registration banks. Lawyers in the case choose the actual jurors from the jury pool through a process called voir dire.

glossary

Jury instructions

A judge’s explanation to the jury before it begins deliberations of the questions it must answer and the law governing the case. Each party suggests jury instructions to the judge, but the judge chooses the final wording.

glossary

Jury Charge

The judge’s formal instructions on the law to the jury before it begins deliberations.

glossary

Jury

Persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact. State court juries can be as small as six jurors in some cases. Federal juries for civil suits must have six jurors, criminal suits must have twelve.

glossary

Juror

A person who is on the jury.

glossary

Judgment

The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit.

glossary

Judge

Government official with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Judicial officers of the Supreme Court and the highest court in each state are called justices.