The Seventh Amendment Explained

The 7th Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It protects the right to a jury in certain civil court cases.

"In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."

Who Does the Seventh Amendment Protect?

The 7th Amendment protects people and businesses involved in certain civil cases in federal court, including:

The Federal Government

Federal courts must follow the jury trial protections established by the Seventh Amendment.

State Governments

State courts follow their own constitutions and laws governing jury trials in civil cases.

The People

People involved in qualifying federal civil cases may receive a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment.

What Does the Seventh Amendment Protect?

The 7th Amendment protects the right to have certain civil cases decided by a jury.

1. Property disputes
2. Contract disagreements
3. Personal injury claims
4. Some lawsuits involving money

The amendment protects the jury's decision by limiting when another federal court can change the facts already decided by the jury.

How Does the Seventh Amendment Protect People?

The 7th Amendment gives people the option of having a jury hear certain civil cases instead of having only a judge decide the outcome.

A jury is not available in every civil case:

1. Many family law cases, such as divorce and child custody
2. Cases involving wills and estates
3. Bankruptcy cases
4. Lawsuits where both sides choose to have a judge decide the case instead of a jury
5. Civil cases where federal law does not provide the right to a jury

Where Does the Seventh Amendment Apply?

The 7th Amendment applies to the federal government in federal civil courts. Many states have their own constitutions and laws that provide similar jury rights in state civil courts.

Why Was the Seventh Amendment Established?

Before the American Revolution, people involved in civil cases did not always have the opportunity to have the facts decided by a jury. Many colonists believed that important civil cases should be decided by a group of ordinary people instead of only by a judge.

The 7th Amendment was created to protect the right to a jury in certain federal civil cases and to limit when a jury's findings of fact may be changed by another court.

When Was the Seventh Amendment Approved?

The 7th Amendment was approved on December 15, 1791, as part of the Bill of Rights.

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Learn how the Sixth Amendment protects the rights of people accused of crimes, including a speedy trial, a jury, and legal counsel.

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