Quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee
I'm only aware of it happening in cases where there was clear jury tampering or jury nullification, in which cases I think it's just fine.
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I believe "jury nullification" is an essential component of our trial system. It is our final protection against government abuse of power.
Before the civil war, it was illegal to harbor runaway slaves in the border states. Participants in the underground railroad were frequently arrested, tried, and found NOT GUILTY despite obvious evidence to the contrary.
Jurys should not only judge the factual elements of a case, but whether the law was appropriately applied and whether or not the law itself is reasonable.