Serving on a Jury: Citizens in the Courtroom
Imagine opening your mailbox and finding an official letter from the government. It is a jury summons, an order asking you to come to court. For many adults across the United States, receiving this letter is an important part of being an active citizen. Serving on a jury gives everyday people a direct voice in the legal system, just like voting does.
A Long History of Trial by Jury
The idea that regular people should decide if someone is guilty or innocent is very old. Thousands of years ago in ancient Athens, large groups of citizens gathered to judge trials. Later, in medieval England, people wanted protection from unfair kings. In the year 1215, King John was forced to sign a famous document called the Magna Carta. This document promised that free people could not be punished without a fair trial judged by their equals.
When English colonists moved to America, they brought this tradition with them. The founders of the United States believed that juries protect citizens from unfair government power. They included this right in the United States Constitution. The Sixth Amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases. The Seventh Amendment protects the right to a jury in civil disagreements between people or companies.
How Jurors Are Chosen
- summons:
- An official order or notice commanding someone to appear in a court of law.
- impartial:
- Fair and not favoring one side over another; unbiased.
- evidence:
- Facts, objects, or statements presented in court to prove what happened.
- deliberation:
- The act of carefully discussing and thinking through facts before making a decision.
- verdict:
- The final decision made by a jury at the end of a trial, such as guilty or not guilty.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is a jury summons?
- 2Which ancient city gathered large groups of citizens to judge trials?
About this informational passage for 5th Grade
“Serving on a Jury: Citizens in the Courtroom” is a informational reading passage about Jury Duty, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 4 minutes to read (638 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.