Tag Archives: jury

Why are some cases decided by only 6 jurors instead of 12?

Posted on August 4, 2011 by

There’s nothing magical about the number 12, except that 12-person juries enjoy a long and rich history in the law.  Although informal use of juries pre-dates the 12th century, King Henry II (1154-1189) is credited with instituting the first official jury system, when … Continue reading →

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What is “Voir Dire”?

Posted on June 30, 2011 by

Simply stated, it’s jury selection.  Or, at least, that’s what it usually means. Most Common Usage:  Ordinarily, the term “voir dire” refers to the process of selecting a jury from a panel of prospective jurors (sometimes referred to as veniremen).  … Continue reading →

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