Petit Jury Handbook Handbook for Trial Jurors Serving in the
United States District Courts Table Of Contents - Purpose of
This Handbook - Importance of Jury Service - The Courts - The
Criminal Case - The Civil Case - The Voir Dire Examination - The
Jurors' Solemn Oath - The Eight Stages of Trial - The Arguments
of Counsel - The Charge to the Jury - The Jury's Verdict -
Courtroom Etiquette - Conduct of the Jury During the Trial - In
the Jury Room - After the Trial The purpose of this handbook is
to acquaint trial jurors with the general nature and importance
of their role as jurors. It explains some of the language and
procedures used in court, and it offers some suggestions helpful
to jurors in performing this important public service. Nothing
in this handbook is to be regarded by jurors as instructions of
law to be applied by them in any case in which they serve. The
judge will instruct the jury in each separate case as to the law
of that case. For example, in each criminal case, the judge will
tell the jury