An Interactive Game
You’re the Judge
Laws are written with wiggle room on purpose. Words like “knowingly” and “reasonable” are there because the system needs YOUR judgment. Can you spot them?
6real-world cases
11magic words
3minutes to play
The Magic Words
Each case gives you a law and a scenario. Click the ‘magic word(s)’ in the law—one of the terms defined below—that hands the decision to you, the juror. Click the word (or words—there may be more than one), and see what judgment calls the law is asking you to make.
Knowingly / Knowing
Did they actually know what they were doing? Were they aware of the consequences? You decide if they really knew based on their actions, what they said, and the circumstances. There's no brain-scan test—it's your judgment call.
Recklessly / Reckless
Did they consciously ignore an obvious risk? Should a reasonable person have known better? You get to define "reckless" using your own life experience and common sense about what's dangerously careless.
Purpose / Intent
What were they trying to accomplish? What was their goal? You judge their motive—not based on what they claim, but what makes sense given everything you've seen.
Reasonable / Substantial / Unreasonably
What counts as "reasonable" behavior? What's a "substantial" risk? What's "unreasonably" loud or dangerous? There's no formula—YOU decide what meets that bar in this specific situation.
Lawfully / Unlawfully
Was the police conduct proper? Was the arrest legal? You can judge whether the authorities acted lawfully. This is huge power.
Violence / Force
Does pulling your arm away count as "violence"? Does a push count as "force"? You decide where the line is between normal human behavior and criminal conduct.
Deceit / Deception
Was someone actually tricked or lied to? Or is this just a misunderstanding? You judge if it crosses the line into real dishonesty worthy of punishment.
Seriously / Serious
How bad does harm have to be before it counts as "serious"? A scrape isn't. A broken bone might be. There's no injury chart in the statute—you decide where the line sits.
Damage
Does a shattered window count the same as a tiny scratch? "Damage" isn't measured in dollars or inches by the law itself—you decide how much harm to property is enough to matter.
Distress
Being annoyed isn't the same as being genuinely distressed. Where's the line between someone getting upset and someone suffering real emotional harm? You draw it.
Terrorize
Was someone truly trying to frighten another person, or just venting anger? "Terrorize" asks you to judge what they actually meant to do—not just the words they used.
Educational disclaimer: This game is an educational tool not meant to accurately describe the laws of Virginia or any other jurisdiction. In a real trial, judges and lawyers will define specific legal terms for the jury.
Ready for the Real Thing?
A jury is not a rubber stamp. When conviction would be unjust, you may follow your conscience to acquit. Learn your rights before you serve — and read the stories of jurors who used them.