[Critter]

The 7th amendment pertains to civil cases. Here it is:

"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."

Can anyone argue that Terri's life is worth less than $20?

[Critter]

And even if you could argue that a life is worth less than $20, include in the suit the money Terri received in the malpractice suit.

[dufekin]

We need to amend the Constitution to read:

"In suits at common law, regardless of the value in controversy and even if no value is in controversy, 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."

[atomicpossum]

Can anyone argue that Terri's life is worth less than $20?

I think that is the fundamental assertion of a great many people. I find it frightening.

[Modernman]

"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."

The right to a jury trial for civil cases only applies to Federal courts. State courts are only required to have a jury in criminal cases.