Jury

The Jury consists of a group of eliminated castaways (typically past the merge portion of the competition) that return to witness the remaining Survivors actions at Tribal Council, the information they take in from these visits will help them decide who will win the $1,000,000 prize. They are forbidden to speak when present with exception of the Final Tribal Council.

Juries are comprised of either 7 or 9 jurors, but one season (Survivor: Micronesia) had a panel of 8 jury members.

Post-elimination
When Survivor jury members get voted out, they are whisked away to a camp called Ponderosa (not to be mistaken from the base camp where the production crew stays). The CBS website has allowed fans to see what happens behind the scenes as Jury members enter the camp and re-assimilate to life in the outside world. Jury members stay at Ponderosa until the day after Day 39 and will be flown transported to every Tribal Council to get a glimpse at what is happening with the remaining castaways still in the running. While at Ponderosa, cast-offs enjoy movies, all the food they can eat, special excursions, bedding, showers and many other luxuries not permitted during the game of Survivor. Additionally, the contestants get a chance to ponder on who they will vote for as the winner of the show (though this has not much explored). Many times, the conversations that happen at Ponderosa changes the outcome of the show.

Final Tribal Council
On Day 39, at the Final Tribal Council, after hearing the finalist's opening words, every Jury member, will be given a chance to ask a question, berate, insult or just to mere throw the player off guard. After all jurors have spoken, the finalists will address their final statements. Then the Jury will vote for a winner (not to vote against someone, like previously held Tribal Councils). The finalist that will have the most votes will be declared as the winner or Sole Survivor.

Exceptions to Speaking at Tribal Council
As members of the Jury, they are not permitted to speak during the Tribal Council as to prevent outsider influence, though jury members are seen talking to each other on several occations. However, there have been circumstances when a Jury member has spoken prior to the Final.
 * John Carroll spoke to the Final three during Survivor: Marquesas to address the ill health of Paschal English.
 * James Clement spoke during Survivor: Micronesia where he stated that he was no longer the dumbest Survivor ever.
 * Jonathan Penner spoke during Survivor: Cook Islands where he talked about Yul Kwon giving his hat back, which he had requested upon getting voted out at the previous tribal council.

Trivia

 * Rupert Boneham is the only contestant to be a member of the jury for three seasons.
 * Rupert is the only recurring juror to vote for the same person in two separate seasons. Rupert voted Sandra Diaz-Twine during Survivor: Pearl Islands and Survivor: Heroes vs Villains.
 * Rob Mariano has never served on a jury even though he has played the game four times. He was voted out one cycle before the Jury Phase of Survivor: Marquesas and Survivor: Heroes vs Villains, while he was a finalist on Survivor: All-Stars and Survivor: Redemption Island.
 * Russell Hantz has never served on a jury even though he has played the game three times.
 * According to the Survivor Rulebook, depending on the circumstances a post-jury quitter may or may not be included on the Jury. With this, the Jury can be comprised of less than the standard seven to nine members.
 * Yul Kwon indirectly interacted with the jury before the finals in Survivor: Cook Islands, where he gave Jonathan Penner his hat. Jonathan had requested for someone to return his hat at some point after he was voted out of the game.
 * The Aitutaki tribe is the only tribe to not have an original member of the tribe on the jury.