Jury nullification

Sample Solution

Jury nullification is the act of a jury returning a verdict of not guilty even though they believe that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged. This can happen when the jury believes that the law is unjust, that the defendant has been wrongly accused, or that the punishment is too harsh.

Here are some examples of jury nullification:

• In the 1970s, a jury in Boston acquitted a group of anti-war protesters who had been charged with obstructing traffic. The jury believed that the protesters were exercising their First Amendment right to free speech.

Full Answer Section

• In the 1980s, a jury in Florida acquitted a man who had been charged with possession of marijuana. The jury believed that the law against marijuana possession was unjust.
• In the 2000s, a jury in California acquitted a woman who had been charged with aiding and abetting her husband in his suicide. The jury believed that the woman had been acting out of love and compassion for her husband.

I am for jury nullification. I believe that it is an important safeguard against unjust laws and unfair prosecutions. Jury nullification allows jurors to exercise their conscience and to protect the rights of the accused.

Nolo contendere is a Latin phrase that means "I do not contest it." It is a plea that a defendant can enter in a criminal case. A nolo contendere plea is not an admission of guilt, but it does have the same legal consequences as a guilty plea.

The effect of a nolo contendere plea is that the defendant is convicted of the crime, but they cannot be sentenced to jail time. The defendant may also be required to pay a fine or perform community service.

A grand jury is a group of citizens who are responsible for deciding whether or not to bring criminal charges against a person. The grand jury hears evidence from the prosecutor and witnesses, and then decides whether there is probable cause to believe that the person committed a crime.

A trial jury is a group of citizens who are responsible for deciding the guilt or innocence of a person who has been charged with a crime. The trial jury hears evidence from the prosecution and the defense, and then decides whether the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A hung jury is a jury that cannot reach a unanimous verdict. This can happen when the jurors are deadlocked, or when they are unable to agree on the verdict. In the event of a hung jury, the prosecutor may decide to retry the case or to dismiss the charges.

An indictment is a formal accusation of a crime that is issued by a grand jury. An information is a formal accusation of a crime that is issued by a prosecutor. An indictment or information is necessary in order to bring a criminal case to trial.