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

A petition was signed by many of the grand jury, as well as the petty jury, in her behalf, and strong hopes were entertained of a reprieve.

From The History of Margaret Catchpole A Suffolk Girl by Richard Cobbold

On the twenty-six bills that were found, three persons only were pronounced guilty by the petty jury, and these three received their pardon from the government.

From Lives of the Necromancers by William Godwin

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