Types of Juries

Errors during jury selection are common grounds for appeal in criminal cases. Questioning Jurors. When a case is called for trial, a randomly selected panel of potential jurors (called a venire) is seated in the courtroom.

A closing argument, summation, or summing up is the concluding statement of each party's counsel reiterating the important arguments for the trier of fact, often the jury, in a court case. A closing argument occurs after the presentation of evidence.

People on a jury are instructed by the judge that they must deliberate with one another in an attempt to reach a verdict. Jurors are told to approach the case with open minds, and to change their minds if they realize they are wrong.

Jury instructions are given to the jury by the jury instructor, who usually reads them aloud to the jury. They are often the subject of discussion of the case, how they will decide who is guilty, and are given by the judge in order to make sure their interests are represented and nothing prejudicial is said.

The opening statement at the beginning of the trial is limited to outlining facts. This is each party's opportunity to set the basic scene for the jurors, introduce them to the core dispute(s) in the case, and provide a general road map of how the trial is expected to unfold.

The opinions by a jury or judge are often changed during cross examination if doubt is cast on the witness. In other times a credible witness affirms the belief in their original statements or in some cases enhances the judge's or jury's belief.