Jury

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, your case may be heard by a judge and jury. 

Role of the jury

The role of the jury is to establish whether you are guilty or not guilty of the crime with which you have been charged.

Each jury member, or juror, must make up his or her own mind about your guilt or innocence, based on: 

• the testimony heard;
• the evidence submitted;
• the facts brought to light during the trial;
• the explanations given by the judge.

At the end of the trial, in a private meeting, the jury members present their opinion in turn to the other members. 

The jury's decision, or verdict, must be unanimous. If the jury members cannot agree, they must re-examine the facts of the case and the evidence presented at the trial to come to a joint decision. 

In general, if the jury finds the accused not guilty, he or she is immediately acquitted. If the jury finds the accused guilty, the judge sentences the accused to a suitable penalty, either immediately or at a later hearing.