What triggers a jury trial?
Criminal trial: An individual is accused of committing a crime that is considered against society as a whole. Twelve people, and alternates, make up a criminal jury. A unanimous decision must be reached before a defendant is found “guilty.” The government must prove the crime was committed “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Can you hire a lawyer for a speeding ticket?
It generally depends on the circumstances. For many people, hiring an attorney for a traffic ticket is definitely worth the cost. However, in some situations, a driver is better off not spending the extra money to retain a lawyer. Here are some factors you might want to consider before making the call.
Is it better to have a jury trial?
A jury trial is usually heavily favored by most defendants because it allows twelve persons, rather than one, to determine witness credibility and, in some cases, unreasonable conduct by police. Some people consider a jury trial a right against government oppression.
What kind of cases go to jury trial?
The use of juries in civil cases is limited, and in New South Wales usually only occurs in defamation cases. In civil cases the jury decides whether the defendant is liable on the balance of probabilities.
What determines if a case goes to trial?
The trial is a structured process where the facts of a case are presented to a jury, and they decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charge offered. During trial, the prosecutor uses witnesses and evidence to prove to the jury that the defendant committed the crime(s).
Can you request a jury trial for a traffic ticket?
Before you can determine whether you can request a jury trial for a ticket for passing with insufficient clearance and ignoring traffic flow, you must first determine if the offence for which you received a ticket is one that can be fought in court. Some tickets cannot be challenged in court.
How does jury selection work in traffic court?
Trial by jury in traffic ticket court Jury trials proceed exactly like judge trials except that you must choose a jury first. Jury selection can add several days or several weeks to the process, depending on the court’s docket and its method of trying cases. The jurors hear the case like a judge would and deliberate on the verdict.
How many jurors are needed for traffic court?
Some states also have different rules for jury trials in traffic ticket court. For instance, they may have smaller jury pools. A typical criminal trial uses a jury of 12 people, but a traffic trial might include 4, 6, or 8 jurors.
When to hire an attorney for a traffic ticket?
Pre-trial hearing. Trial before judge or jury. You can only request a trial before a jury in writing before your assigned trial date. PRIOR to your first court appearance, you may want to hire a traffic ticket attorney.