What is the primary role of the jury in a trial?

What is the primary role of the jury in a trial?

• A. Decides questions of fact.
• B. Decides questions of law.
• C. Rules on admissibility of evidence.
• D. Sets sentencing.

Answer: (A)

Facts drive the verdict. The jury’s primary role is to determine questions of fact by weighing the evidence and evaluating witness credibility to decide what actually happened. The judge handles questions of law—what the law requires and how it applies to the facts—and also rules on the admissibility of evidence and, after a conviction, determines the sentence in most cases. So the jury’s main function is fact-finding, not deciding legal rules, evidentiary issues, or punishment.

Facts drive the verdict. The jury’s primary role is to determine questions of fact by weighing the evidence and evaluating witness credibility to decide what actually happened. The judge handles questions of law—what the law requires and how it applies to the facts—and also rules on the admissibility of evidence and, after a conviction, determines the sentence in most cases. So the jury’s main function is fact-finding, not deciding legal rules, evidentiary issues, or punishment.