Victims in New York may feel intimidated by the prospect of filing a lawsuit against a negligent party. If you decide to take your case to trial and have it heard by a jury, you should do your best to be well-versed in the process and prepared for whatever may come.
If you take your civil matter to trial in New York and want a jury, that is what you will get. In a civil trial in New York, there must be at least five unanimous jurors before a verdict can be reached. Having a jury decide your civil lawsuit might be beneficial or detrimental. Because of their lack of judicial experience and greater sensitivity to the issue, jurors can have a significant impact on the outcome. It’s possible that juries would be better equipped to examine evidence and testimony if they had more eyes and ears on the case. The details of your case will determine whether or not you should request a jury trial in your civil case. Consider scheduling an appointment to speak with an attorney about your case.
When I file a civil lawsuit in New York, will I have a jury trial?
It is crucial to be aware of what to expect from the New York court system when filing a claim for damages against a negligent party. Jurors in New York may hear your case if it goes to trial.
The use of juries is commonplace in both civil and criminal proceedings. The plaintiff in a lawsuit has the option of having the matter heard by a judge or a jury. Plaintiffs are also permitted to waive their right to a jury trial and have the case decided by the judge alone. In the state of New York, this is referred to as a trial before a judge sitting on the bench. Such a choice is required when avoiding trial is not an option and a negotiated settlement cannot be reached.
Unlike criminal trials, which use a panel of 12, civil trials in New York often involve only six jurors. The standard of proof in civil trials is far lower than in criminal trials since juries just have to decide if it is more likely than not that a defendant caused a victim to experience damages.
Nonetheless, selecting a jury can take a while, and this may affect your case against the irresponsible party.