As a criminal defendant, you typically have the right to a jury trial unless your case is considered a petty crime by a judge.
In a jury trial, a selection of citizens will be randomly selected to appear for jury duty. The goal of this selection is to have a variety of jurors that represent a cross-section of the community where the trial is being held.
The judge and attorneys will then ask this group of qualified, potential jurors questions, called voir dire. This process excludes people who would not be a good fit as a juror for the case.
Ultimately, the jury will consist of 12 individuals and some alternates. The jury must reach a unanimous decision to find the defendant guilty.
