<P> Following the English tradition, U.S. juries have usually been composed of 12 jurors, and the jury's verdict has usually been required to be unanimous . However, in many jurisdictions, the number of jurors is often reduced to a lesser number (such as five or six) by legislative enactment, or by agreement of both sides . Some jurisdictions also permit a verdict to be returned despite the dissent of one, two, or three jurors . Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 48 states that a federal civil jury must begin with at least 6 and no more than 12 members, and that the verdict must be unanimous unless the parties stipulate otherwise . </P> <P> Alternative dispute resolution is becoming increasingly common . Mandatory binding arbitration has been used by some parties to prevent the 7th Amendment right to a civil jury trial from being invoked . Arbitration agreements are becoming increasingly common in the marketplace, to the point at which it is becoming difficult for consumers to purchase products without waiving their right to settle disputes arising out of the transaction by jury trial . It has been argued that arbitration clauses should be held to a higher "knowing - consent" standard in order to be upheld . </P> <P> Jurors in some states are selected through voter registration and drivers' license lists . A form is sent to prospective jurors to pre-qualify them by asking the recipient to answer questions about citizenship, disabilities, ability to understand the English language, and whether they have any conditions that would excuse them from being a juror . If they are deemed qualified, a summons is issued . In the federal system, jurors are selected in accordance with the Jury Selection Act . </P> <P> It has been proposed that the federal civil jury system be abolished in order to clean up the backlog of cases, keep court calendars current, and obtain better and more efficient administration of justice . Research indicates that while civil trials may proceed more slowly before a jury, judge - tried cases last longer on the docket . </P>

History of the jury system in the united states