A key difference between criminal and civil juries is which issue they decide.

A key difference between criminal and civil juries is which issue they decide.

• A. The criminal jury decides guilt, civil jury decides liability
• B. The civil jury decides guilt, criminal jury decides liability
• C. Both decide guilt in all cases
• D. Neither decides liability

Answer: (A)

In criminal and civil cases, juries have different roles. In a criminal case, the jury’s task is to decide whether the accused is guilty of the charged crime, and this verdict must meet a high standard: guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In a civil case, the jury decides whether the defendant is liable to the plaintiff for the harm claimed, based on a lower standard of proof called the balance of probabilities. This is why the best answer states that a criminal jury decides guilt and a civil jury decides liability. The other options mix up who decides guilt or liability, or suggest neither decides liability, which doesn’t align with how these two types of cases operate. (Note: some civil matters can be decided by a judge without a jury, but when a jury is used, its focus is liability, not guilt.)

In criminal and civil cases, juries have different roles. In a criminal case, the jury’s task is to decide whether the accused is guilty of the charged crime, and this verdict must meet a high standard: guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In a civil case, the jury decides whether the defendant is liable to the plaintiff for the harm claimed, based on a lower standard of proof called the balance of probabilities. This is why the best answer states that a criminal jury decides guilt and a civil jury decides liability. The other options mix up who decides guilt or liability, or suggest neither decides liability, which doesn’t align with how these two types of cases operate. (Note: some civil matters can be decided by a judge without a jury, but when a jury is used, its focus is liability, not guilt.)