Which amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil cases?

Which amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil cases?

• A. Protection against self-incrimination
• B. Right to a speedy trial
• C. Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
• D. Protection against cruel and unusual punishment

Answer: (C)

The main idea is protecting the right to have a jury decide civil disputes. The Seventh Amendment specifically preserves the right to a trial by jury in civil cases heard in federal courts. It says that in suits at common law where the amount in controversy is at stake, the right to a jury shall be preserved, and that findings of fact by a jury should not be re-examined by the courts except under the rules of common law. This is what sets civil jury trials apart from other types of proceedings. The other protections point to different areas: the right against self-incrimination comes from the Fifth Amendment, the right to a speedy trial comes from the Sixth Amendment, and the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment comes from the Eighth Amendment. So, for civil case jury rights, the amendment that applies is the Seventh Amendment.