Juries in civil disputes
Preserves jury trials in qualifying civil cases and limits later reexamination of jury-found facts.
In Simple, Modern English
In common-law civil lawsuits involving more than twenty dollars, the jury-trial right is preserved. Courts cannot reexamine facts decided by a jury except under the rules of the common law.
Important Clauses & Details
Civil jury right
It applies to qualifying common-law claims in federal court, such as many damages claims. Civil cases decide legal responsibility rather than criminal guilt.
Reexamination Clause
Judges and appellate courts must respect the rules governing review of facts already decided by a jury.
Why It Was Added
Civil juries were valued as a check on judges and a way for ordinary people to participate in resolving disputes. Critics of the original Constitution wanted this protection stated explicitly, not just the criminal-jury guarantee.
The twenty-dollar wording remains in the text, but this is not a guarantee of a jury in every modern civil proceeding. The Seventh has not been incorporated against states.
Plain-English study paraphrases summarize the text; they are not verbatim translations. Historical provisions and later changes are identified above. Sources: National Archives and Constitution Annotated.