• Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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    13 hours ago

    Jury Nullification is when you, as a jurist, understand that your duties to the accused under the 6th Amendment is to judge their actions as a layperson. In doing so, your constitutionally-imposed duties supersede the authority of legislated law. You aren’t just “allowed” to find the accused innocent of violating a law you deem to be unjust; you are constitutionally obligated to exercise your best judgment and acquit under those circumstances.

    Your duty to judge the accused based solely on the law includes the constitution, and the constitution requires you to judge as a layperson, not an agent of the state. Where the state’s laws conflict with your own rationality, you are obligated to obey the constitution, not the state.

    During voir dire, you, a potential juror, will be asked something along the lines of “Do you have any beliefs that would prevent you from reaching a decision in accordance with the law?” When you consider your answer, remember that the constitution is law. I can’t speak for you, but I hold no such beliefs; I can decide purely on the basis of the law.