The United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal prosecutions. In civil lawsuits (disputes over money, property, and other non-criminal matters), state constitutions provide for the right to trial by jury—but this right may be limited to certain types of claims. And in order to be entitled to a trial by jury in a civil matter, a party generally must file a written request for a jury trial and pay a jury fee a reasonable time before trial.
In Connecticut, the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases is protected under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that anyone accused of a crime has the right to a jury of their peers. In civil cases, the right to a jury trial is also recognized, but it is not absolute and may be subject to certain limitations. The Connecticut Constitution, in Article First, Sections 8 and 19, provides for the right to a jury trial in civil cases. However, this right typically applies to cases involving legal claims, such as those for damages, rather than equitable claims, such as injunctions or specific performance. To exercise the right to a jury trial in a civil matter in Connecticut, a party must file a written demand for a jury trial within the time frame specified by the Connecticut Practice Book, which governs procedural matters in state courts. Additionally, the party requesting a jury trial may be required to pay a jury fee. If the demand is not made in a timely manner, or if the fee is not paid as required, the party may waive their right to a jury trial.