I just got called for Jury duty for the first time (want info on Jury Nullification) - VANITY

[The FRugitive]

I just got called for jury duty for the first time.

I'm curious about jury nullification in case I get picked and get a consensual "criminal" case (tax evasion, drug posession, gun law violation, etc.). What would I need to know?

This could be my chance to stick it to the man. ;)

(Of course if I were to get a case of force or fraud I would follow the standing law.)

[SauronOfMordor]

I would happily use my jury vote to nullify any conviction of a person tried for violating Jim Crow laws, for example.

As would any moral person

[Howlin]

I imagine you'd be able to work yourself up into such a latter that you'd convince yourself you're the victim of just about any law on the books.

As stated above, you're going IN with the idea of jury nullication; it would be one thing if you got into the courtroom and decided that, but to me, it looks like you're actively looking for a reason to nullify a jury -- and it looks to me if you're just dying to get on ANY jury to put your theories/beliefs to work.

[Howlin]

I haven't gotten sucked in to anything; I'm a court reporter and I've seen people just like this, hot to get on a jury to make ANY kind of statement to the court, just to prove they can, whether the facts warrant it or not.

[Protagoras]

Freedom is a messy business. Many here value order above all else.

[Xenalyte]

Have you ever drank alcohol? Have you ever taken drugs, ever taken legal ones? Do you own a gun, ever shot anybody? Have you ever been in a Turkish bath house?

Do you like movies about gladiators?

[Radioactive]

If you show any intelligence about jury notification, the lawyers or judge will disqualify you.

You must act stupid in order for any lawyer to pick you to be on a jury.

Jury nullification by the way, makes you even more powerfull than the president of the US.

Jury nullification is a constitutional right to nullify any law seen to be unlawful or illegal.

The biggest problem is that any judge or lawyer does not want anyone to know about jury nullification because they think it undermines their supposed authority. The BAR Assoc.(British acredited Registry) hates jury nullifaciton.

[Howlin]

It sounds rather Clintonesque, doesn't it? I thought parsing words was the domain of liberals.

[The FRugitive]

Well you are reading way to much into it. I'm going to do my duty.

At any rate, I'll probably never see the inside of a jury box as I'm going to answer my questions truthfully.

[AppyPappy]

In the Simpson case, the jurors apparently decided that the prosecution of the case was improper, specifically the handling of the evidence.

So where is the killer? Why isn't he behind bars?

[AppyPappy]

Why should I have to move to get away from such laws (assuming there was a viable place to move to)?

Because you would live in a state full of idiots?

[archy]

So you served on a federal grand jury? That must have been all sorts of fun. How long did they keep you.

Six months. We were at it four or five days a week for about 22 weeks.

-archy-/-

[The FRugitive]

You know what? I'm going to bring my CATO pocket copy of the constitution and decleration of independance to read while I'm waiting. That should make sure I'm not selected to upset your corrupt little system.

[Protagoras]

Anyone who embraces Bosco when he tries to inject his agenda into any thread no matter how off topic, has a credibility problem.

[rednek]

"...did explain my reasons to other jurors - could I ever get in any trouble over that?"

You have no responsibilty to exlain or justify your vote. Just vote and shut up! You may cause a mistrial or cause yourself some grief by explaining! You will be abused by the others in the jury room. Stand your ground and be prepared!

regards - red

[HamiltonJay]

Pro,

You have offered nothing but your opinion, offering nothing legally factual to back it up. The Concept of Double Jeapardy is legal precident and is the basis of my arguments... if you are too naive to understand that, that's not my problem.

You have not nullified enforcement of a law against a person by a mistrial... if you can't understand that concept you obviously failed social studies in grade school. A person is never free from prosecution of an action until one of 2 things occurs, 1) The statute of limitation expires on the act, or 2) they are found not guilty of it. That's the only way... hanging a jury does not free a person from further prosecution and potential punishment.

Hanging a jury does not free the accussed, it does not nullify them being futher prosecuted or punished for their actions. The only way to be free from further prosecution for an action is to be found NOT GUILTY. At which time punishment may not be levied against you for your crime, even if every ounce of evidence proves your guild beyond any shodow of a doubt.

Go back to civics, look up double jeapardy, look up jury nullification.. A mistrial is not nullification, nor is a hung jury. Your attempt to equate them is flat out ignorance.

[george wythe]

Thank you for posting this question.

I have learned more about jury nullification by reading this thread than by spending 7 years in college.

[KevinDavis]

Here is thing about my case, even though I'm against Civil lawsuits, it was quite interesting. Let say we prevented a uneccsary shakedown.

[Protagoras]

So where is the killer?

On the golf course.

Why isn't he behind bars?

The prosecution was inept, a guilty man went free because of it.

If people can't live with the imperfection of the jury system they need to work to replace it with a perfect system.

Sometimes the guilty go free, sometimes the innocent are convicted.

[Khepera]

The jury is the law.