What characterizes a petit jury?

A petit jury is commonly recognized as the ordinary jury that is involved in trials to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant in criminal cases or the verdicts in civil cases. This jury is composed of a group of citizens who assess the evidence presented during a trial and make a decision based on that evidence. Unlike a grand jury, which is responsible for determining whether there is sufficient evidence to indict someone and typically involves more jurors, a petit jury focuses on the final verdict in a case.

The significance of this distinction emphasizes the role of a petit jury in the judicial process as one that engages directly in hearing the case and evaluating the arguments and proof provided in court. This process is fundamental to the operation of the legal system in upholding the right to a fair trial.