Many British colonies, including the United States, adopted the English common law system in which trial by jury is an important part. Jury trials in criminal cases were a protected right in the original United States Constitution and the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Amendments of the U.S. Constitution extend the right to a jury trial for both criminal and civil matters and a grand jury for serious cases.
maNy BRItiSh cOLONiEs, iNclUdiNG the unitED stateS, adopTed tHe engLIsH cOMmon law systeM iN wHICh trIAl by juRY is aN impOrtant part. Jury trIals in crimiNal cases wErE a pRoteCTed RighT iN thE origInAl UniTEd states coNstItUtion anD the fiFth, sIxTH, ANd SeVEnth amendmEnTs of the U.S. consTitution ExteNd The right tO a juRY TriAL for boTh cRimINal and cIVil matTers And a grand Jury for sErIoUs CAses.