Opinion ID: 1292929
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was Gilbert denied its right to a trial by jury?

Text: Gilbert contends that to grant a new trial after the jury verdict was  de facto to deny Gilbert its constitutional right to trial by jury. In short, Gilbert contends that the Thirteenth Juror Doctrine is unconstitutional under the South Carolina constitution. We disagree. The Thirteenth Juror Doctrine is a well-established in South Carolina as the standard for granting a new trial. See Norton, 350 S.C. at 477, 567 S.E.2d at 854. This Court has reviewed the doctrine on several occasions and has refused to abolish it. Id. at 478, 567 S.E.2d at 854. The right to trial by jury is a fundamental right. See Wright v. Colleton County School Dist., 301 S.C. 282, 291, 391 S.E.2d 564, 570 (1990). As such, any abridgement of that right is subject to strict scrutiny. See City of Beaufort v. Holcombe, 369 S.C. 643, 632 S.E.2d 894 (Ct.App.2006). To meet strict scrutiny, a law or policy must meet a compelling state interest and be narrowly tailored to effectuate that interest. See In re Treatment and Care of Luckabaugh, 351 S.C. 122, 140-41, 568 S.E.2d 338, 347 (2002). The Thirteenth Juror Doctrine does not abridge the right to a trial by jury since the effect of a trial judge's decision to grant a new trial is to allow another jury trial. Therefore, the parties are not deprived of a trial by jury. We affirm the trial court's exercise of power under the Thirteenth Juror Doctrine.