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

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

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

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2019

Thus the modern system of inquiry by grand jury and trial by petty jury was gradually developed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various

A grand jury presented the drummer for trial, on a charge of witchcraft, but the petty jury would not convict, there being a want of evidence to prove threats, malum minatum, by the drummer. 

From The Book of Dreams and Ghosts by Lang, Andrew

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

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