petty jury

American  

noun

1. (in a civil or criminal proceeding) a jury, usually of 12 persons, impaneled to determine the facts and render a verdict pursuant to the court's instructions on the law.

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petty jury British  

noun

1. a variant spelling of petit jury

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Other Word Forms

• petty juror
  noun

Etymology

Origin of petty jury

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petty jury

The petty jury simply moved that forward - a group of 12 people were now being asked to determine guilt.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2019

But on 26 January, 1219, King Henry III issued an edict - the trial by petty jury was born in England.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2019

He would be a good neighbour if he did not destroy so many partridges: in short, he is a very sensible man; shoots flying; and has been several times foreman of the petty jury.

From The De Coverley Papers From 'The Spectator' by Joseph H. Meek

So were a large majority of the petty jury by whom he was tried.

From The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion by John Charles Dent

The only way in which Hampden and Pym could legally be tried for treason at the suit of the King, was by a petty jury on a bill found by a grand jury.

From Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 1 by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay