Which of the following best describes the role of a jury in criminal cases?

The role of a jury in criminal cases is to decide the guilt or innocence of the accused. This function is central to the jury system, which operates under the principle that a group of citizens will evaluate the evidence presented during a trial and reach a verdict based on that evidence. The jury listens to the testimonies, considers the facts of the case, and applies the law as instructed by the judge to determine whether the prosecution has proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In criminal cases, this process upholds the right to a fair trial, where the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. Jurors are expected to be impartial and base their decision solely on the evidence introduced during the trial. Their verdict is essential in ensuring justice, as it reflects the collective judgment of the community.

Other options relate to different legal roles or functions: resolving civil disputes is a function of civil cases, determining legal precedents is typically the role of appellate courts rather than juries, and assisting judges in sentencing is a responsibility usually taken on by judges following a conviction, not the jury itself. Hence, the correct interpretation of a jury’s function clearly aligns with the determination of guilt or innocence in criminal trials.