Learn
Why jury duty matters
← Back to Rights and responsibilities topics← Back to LearnA civics adventure written for readers of all ages.
Start with a question
Why do ordinary people decide court cases instead of judges alone?
In brief
Juries bring community judgment to the justice system, protecting fairness by sharing the power to decide facts.
Questions to think about
- How does a jury protect the accused?
- Why should juries follow rules set by judges?
- What happens if people ignore jury summonses?
Try this
Do a mini mock trial with a short scenario. Assign jurors, a judge, and brief witness statements. Practice deliberating respectfully.
One thing to take away
Give one reason jury duty is both a right and a responsibility.
Story bridge
Story bridge
A dispute in the book is settled by listening to both sides. How is that similar to a jury room?
Want the full civics adventure story behind these ideas? Visit the book site for more.
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