A jury of one’s peers is a fundamental concept in the legal system of many countries. It is a group of ordinary citizens who are selected to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal trial. The idea behind a jury of one’s peers is that a person should be judged by a group of people who are similar to them in terms of age, social status, and life experience. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of a jury of one’s peers.
Definitions
A jury of one’s peers is a group of people who are selected to serve as jurors in a criminal trial. The term “peers” refers to people who are similar to the defendant in terms of age, social status, and life experience. The purpose of a jury of one’s peers is to ensure that the defendant is judged by a group of people who can understand their situation and make an informed decision.
Origin
The concept of a jury of one’s peers dates back to medieval England. In those days, people were judged by a group of their peers, who were usually members of the same social class. The idea was that people who were similar to the defendant would be better able to understand their situation and make a fair judgment. This concept was later adopted by other countries, including the United States.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a jury of one’s peers is “a group of people who are similar to the defendant in terms of age, social status, and life experience and who are selected to serve as jurors in a criminal trial.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a group of people who are selected to serve as jurors in a trial and who are similar to the defendant in terms of age, social status, and life experience.”
Associations
A jury of one’s peers is associated with the idea of a fair trial. It is believed that a defendant is more likely to receive a fair trial if they are judged by a group of people who are similar to them in terms of age, social status, and life experience. The concept of a jury of one’s peers is also associated with the idea of democracy, as it allows ordinary citizens to participate in the legal system.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of a jury of one’s peers include:
- Peer jury.
- Jury of equals.
- Jury of fellow citizens.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of a jury of one’s peers. However, some related concepts include:
- Bench trial (where a judge decides the case without a jury).
- Jury of experts (where the jurors are selected based on their expertise in a particular field).
The same root words
The root words of a jury of one’s peers are “jury” and “peer.” “Jury” comes from the Latin word “jurare,” which means “to swear an oath.” “Peer” comes from the Old French word “per,” which means “equal.”
Example Sentences
- The defendant has the right to be judged by a jury of their peers.
- The jury of peers deliberated for several hours before reaching a verdict.
- The judge reminded the jurors that they were a jury of equals and that each of their opinions was important.
- The defendant’s lawyer argued that the jury of peers was not representative of the community and that the trial should be moved to a different location.