In every criminal case, a person who is charged with a crime has a right to a jury trial. The petit jury listens to evidence in every criminal case and in every civil case that is entitled to be tried by a jury. The jury decides whether the person charged is guilty or innocent in the criminal case. In the civil case, they decide whether one party is liable to another for damages or other legal relief and, if so, how much. When the jury decides a case they reach what is called a verdict.
All jury deliberations are secret.
From the time you are sworn in by the Clerk of Court until you have reached a verdict, you must never discuss the case with anyone except the other members of the panel you are serving with, and only when the judge tells you to begin deliberations. When you are called as a juror, take the summons that you will receive to the courthouse. You will go to a designated place which will be either a jury assembly room or a courtroom. You will be seated with the other jurors that have been summoned to serve with you. This entire group is called a venire.