petit jury: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Low-FrequencyFormal/Legal
Quick answer
What does “petit jury” mean?
A trial jury, typically consisting of 6-12 citizens, that hears evidence in a court case and decides the verdict based on the facts presented.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A trial jury, typically consisting of 6-12 citizens, that hears evidence in a court case and decides the verdict based on the facts presented.
The group of laypeople selected from the community to determine questions of fact in a trial, as distinguished from a grand jury which investigates potential crimes and decides whether to indict. It represents the community's voice in the legal process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'petit jury' is a historical term; the standard modern term is simply 'jury' or 'trial jury'. The grand jury system does not exist in modern UK law, so the distinction is unnecessary. In American English, 'petit jury' remains a formal, technical term used in legal documents and discussions to contrast with 'grand jury'.
Connotations
In the US, the term carries a formal, technical connotation, emphasizing its specific role in the trial process. In the UK, it would sound archaic or like a direct import from American legal terminology.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general English. Exclusively found in formal legal contexts, law textbooks, and courtroom proceedings in the US. Almost never used in everyday British English.
Grammar
How to Use “petit jury” in a Sentence
The [judge] instructed the petit jury on the [law].A petit jury of [twelve] was sworn in.The [defendant] has a right to a trial by petit jury.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “petit jury” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The historic right to a petit jury has its roots in the Magna Carta.
- The term 'petit jury' is seldom heard in modern British courtrooms.
American English
- The defense moved for a change of venue, arguing an impartial petit jury could not be found in the county.
- After the grand jury issued the indictment, the case proceeded to selection of a petit jury.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Only relevant in contexts of corporate litigation.
Academic
Used in law schools, legal history, and comparative law studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. An ordinary person would say 'jury duty' or 'the jury'.
Technical
Standard term in American legal procedure and court documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “petit jury”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “petit jury”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “petit jury”
- Mispronouncing 'petit' as /ˈpɛtɪt/ (like 'petite' for a woman).
- Using it in non-legal contexts.
- Capitalizing it (not a proper noun).
- Using it in UK contexts where 'jury' suffices.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern American usage, a 'petit jury' is a type of jury—the trial jury. In everyday speech, people just say 'jury'. 'Petit jury' is the formal term used to distinguish it from a 'grand jury'.
It comes from the French word for 'small', distinguishing it from the 'grand' (large) jury. Historically, grand juries had more members (e.g., 23) than petit juries (typically 12).
When called for 'jury duty' in the US, you could be selected for either. A 'grand jury' serves for a longer term (weeks/months) and decides on indictments. A 'petit jury' serves for a single trial and decides the verdict.
No, not in contemporary usage. The UK abolished grand juries in 1933, so there is no need to distinguish between jury types. The standard term is simply 'jury'.
A trial jury, typically consisting of 6-12 citizens, that hears evidence in a court case and decides the verdict based on the facts presented.
Petit jury is usually formal/legal in register.
Petit jury: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpeti ˈdʒʊəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɛti ˈdʒʊri/ or /pəˌti ˈdʒʊri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Trial by a jury of one's peers (often refers to a petit jury).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PETIT = small (from French). It's the smaller jury that gives the PETITE (small) verdict of guilty/not guilty, unlike the GRAND jury which makes the bigger decision about charges.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE COMMUNITY'S CONSCIENCE; THE SCALES OF JUSTICE IN HUMAN FORM.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'petit jury' most accurately used today?