Seventh Amendment

Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. The first 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights

Text of the Amendment

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.

Interpretations & Debate

Read scholarly interpretations of the Seventh Amendment from the National Constitution Center, where constitutional scholars across the political spectrum debate its meaning and application.

Source

Adapted from the National Constitution Center, which provides the canonical text and scholarly interpretations of the Seventh Amendment.