These included freedom of speech and religion, and the right to trial by jury.
The leaders of the American Revolution were outraged when colonists taken to court for violating the hated Stamp Act and Navigation Acts were denied the age-old English right to trial by jury. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson cited "depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury" as one of the major grievances leading to rebellion.
In 1787 the members of the first Congress of the US insisted on preserving the right in our Constitution to make sure that future generations would be judged by their neighbors - representatives of the people - not by the government. Ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added to the Constitution and ratified by the last necessary state in 1791. The Sixth Amendment states that in a criminal case, an accused person has the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. The Seventh Amendment stated that in all civil cases where the money value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved. (Although twenty dollars was worth a good deal more in 1791 than it is now, it was a sum well within the range of ordinary people.).
Every state constitution has adopted the principles of the Bill of Rights on trial by jury, supporting the commitment that the right to jury trial would remain inviolate.
Communities may use voter registration rolls, telephone directories, list of utility customers, driver's licenses, even lists of people who receive government assistance. Names are selected at random. It is important that juries are representative of everyone who lives in the community.
Although some prospective jurors are afraid jury service will be a burden, an overwhelming majority of people who do become jurors find the experience highly rewarding. Practically all of them say they would be glad to do it again.
