What is the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution about?
Q: What is the Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution about?
A: The Seventh Amendment codifies the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases.
Q: Can a court overturn a jury's verdict?
A: No, the Seventh Amendment stops courts from overturning a jury's verdict.
Q: Has the right to a jury trial in civil cases been incorporated into state constitutions?
A: Yes, the rights to civil jury trials are found in nearly every state constitution, even though the Seventh Amendment has never been incorporated.
Q: To what types of cases does the prohibition of overturning a jury's verdict apply?
A: The prohibition of overturning a jury's verdict applies to federal cases, state cases involving federal law, and to review of state cases by federal courts.
Q: How did United States v. Wonson (1812) interpret the Seventh Amendment?
A: United States v. Wonson (1812) established the "historical test", which interpreted the amendment as relying on English common law to determine whether a jury trial was necessary in a civil lawsuit.
Q: Are there any types of cases that are excluded from the guarantee of trial by jury in the Seventh Amendment?
A: Yes, the Seventh Amendment does not guarantee trial by jury in cases under maritime law, in lawsuits against the government itself, and for many parts of patent claims.
Q: Can the parties involved in a civil trial waive the right to a jury trial?
A: Yes, in all other cases, the jury can be waived by consent of the parties.
