The Bill of Rights is considered one of the most sacred documents in the United States, and in that document, the founding fathers took steps to guarantee that generations of Americans would have a right to seek justice. The seventh amendment guarantees citizens a right to a jury, not just in criminal cases, but civil cases as well.
Sometimes people are reluctant to sue companies or organizations who have wronged them because they don’t want to be seen as “one of those people.”
But we here at Cueto Law want you to know that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Our founding fathers built the right to civil litigation into the Bill of Rights and availing yourself of the courts is no different than utilizing freedom of speech.
What does the Seventh Amendment say exactly?
Word for word the seventh amendment reads,
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 reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
7th Amendmenrt, US Bill of Rights
Today the idea of a lawsuit only being over twenty dollars might sound a little silly. Especially given the size of a historic verdict $72 million dollar verdict Cueto Law helped win in St. Clair County, but the important ideas behind the amendment still ring true today.
This amendment is the formal breakdown of the rules of civil trials, and how they are to be carried out. It states that juries shall be in charge of facts, what is true and not true. While courts and lawyers are in charge of the law.
The jury of peers hears cases and decides what truly happened and who is responsible for damage in civil cases. It is not the court’s place to dispute a jury, as the court does not decide facts, only law.
It essentially guarantees that decisions will be made by objective peers who cannot be intimidated or overruled.
For more information on the history of the seventh amendment click here.
What does this mean for Civil Litigation?
This amendment is everything in civil litigation. It is what allows you to sue the companies, people, or organizations that have injured you.
Our founding fathers understood that in order for a society to be free, individuals had to have a method to hold more powerful people or corporations accountable for their actions.
So if you have been injured due to negligence or actions taken by a person, company, or organization, and those injuries have impacted you financially, as James Madison would say, help secure the liberty of the people and take advantage of the rights granted to you by the seventh amendment.
If you are in need of a lawyer you can reach Cueto Law by calling 618-277-1554. Remember, you don’t have to pay for our services unless we win.
