THE 7TH AMENDMENT

WHAT IT MEANS

• The right to a trial by jury
• Always allowed a jury
• Federal and Civil court cases

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• You have the right to deny a jury as well
• The value must exceed over $20

PROS & CONS

• Pros: citizens directly involved in self government
• Cons: biased, incompetent, endangers due process of law

WHEN AND WHY

• September 28, 1789
• Revised
• December 15,1791
• Three quarters of states ratify it

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• Founders believed trial was important
• At time lots of focus on legal issues
• After revolution jury is a big concern

TULL VS. US

• United states files civil suit against Tull
• Distirict court denies Tull's motion for jury
• Court appeal affirms denial of jury
• Case over Tull dumping waste into wetlands