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Simple English definitions for legal terms
jury nullification
Read a random definition: Articles of Confederation
A quick definition of jury nullification:
Jury nullification is when a jury decides to say "not guilty" even if they think the person broke the law. They might do this because they don't agree with the law or they want to send a message about something bigger than the case. Some people think it's okay for juries to do this, but others don't. It's not something lawyers can talk about in court, and some people have gotten in trouble for telling others about it. Jury nullification has been around for a long time, and some people have used it to protest unfair laws. Different states have different rules about it.A more thorough explanation:
Jury nullification is when a jury intentionally chooses to reject the evidence or the law in a case. This can happen because the jury wants to make a statement about a bigger social issue or because they believe that the law is unfair or unjust. Even if the jury thinks that the defendant is guilty, they can still choose to say "not guilty" as a form of protest.
However, jury nullification is not officially allowed in the legal system. Some people believe that it is a right, but others think that it goes against the jury's duty to follow the law. In fact, people have been punished for trying to tell others about jury nullification.
There are historical examples of jury nullification being used to protest unjust laws. For example, in the 1800s, some people refused to convict others under the Fugitive Slave Clause, which required citizens to help catch runaway slaves.
Different states have different rules about jury nullification. In California, for example, a court ruled that juries do not have the right to ignore the law.