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Jury Trials

Jury trials are a cornerstone of the American justice system, and Florida is no exception. In Florida, the right to a jury trial is enshrined in the state constitution and is considered a fundamental right. This means that every person accused of a crime in Florida has the right to a trial by jury.


Jury Trial Procedures 


Jury selection in Florida begins with the summoning of a large pool of potential jurors. These individuals are selected at random from voter registration lists, driver’s license records, and other public records. The potential jurors are then screened to ensure that they meet the basic qualifications for serving on a jury, such as being a U.S. citizen, being over the age of 18, and not having a criminal record.


Once the potential jurors have been screened, they are then divided into smaller groups and sent to different courtrooms to be questioned by the attorneys and the judge. This process is called voir dire, and its purpose is to select a panel of jurors who will be fair and impartial. During voir dire, the attorneys for both sides will ask the potential jurors a series of questions to determine if they have any biases or prejudices that might prevent them from being fair and impartial. For example, if the defendant is accused of a crime that involves drugs, the attorneys might ask the potential jurors if they or anyone they know has ever had a problem with drugs.


After the attorneys have completed their questioning, they will then make challenges to the potential jurors. These challenges can be for cause or peremptory. A challenge for cause is when the attorneys ask the judge to excuse a potential juror because they have demonstrated a bias or prejudice that would prevent them from being fair and impartial. A peremptory challenge is when the attorneys can excuse a potential juror without giving a reason.


Once the jury has been selected, the trial can begin. In Florida, criminal trials are generally conducted in front of a 12-person jury. The jury is responsible for determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. During the trial, the attorneys for both sides will present their evidence and arguments to the jury. The judge will provide instructions to the jury on the law that applies to the case. The jury will then deliberate in private to reach a verdict. In Florida, the verdict must be unanimous. This means that all 12 jurors must agree on the guilt or innocence of the defendant. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the trial is declared a mistrial, and the case may be retried.


While the jury trial process may seem straightforward, there are a number of factors that can impact the outcome of a trial. One such factor is the makeup of the jury itself. In Florida, jurors are selected at random from the pool of eligible citizens, which means that the demographics of the jury may not always be representative of the community as a whole. 


It is important to note that not all cases in Florida are decided by a jury trial. In some cases, the defendant may choose to have a bench trial, where the judge decides the guilt or innocence of the defendant. This is usually done when the defendant believes that a jury may be biased or prejudiced against them.


Speak to a Kissimmee Criminal Defense Lawyer to Learn More About Jury Trials in Florida 


Overall, the right to a trial by jury is an essential component of the American justice system. It allows for a fair and impartial determination of guilt or innocence and ensures that the accused has their day in court. In Florida, the jury selection process is designed to ensure that the jurors are fair and impartial and that the trial is conducted in accordance with the law. Whether a defendant chooses a jury trial or a bench trial, they can be confident that their rights will be protected under the law. The jury trial procedures in Florida can be complicated which is why it is important to hire an attorney to guide you through the process. The lawyers at Hanlon Law have extensive trial experience. We use this experience in forming strong defense strategies and adequately preparing our clients for trial.

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