[Jury Nullification] is when the jury in a criminal trial gives a verdict of not guilty even though they think a defendant has broken the law. The jury’s reasons may include the belief that the law itself is unjust

Until the wealthy and powerful are held to account, why punish your fellow everyday citizens? Use your brain. Decide if what they’re charging people with is suppression or actually keeping society safe.

When those prosecutors start losing these cases, maybe they will start to rethink who they are focusing on.

  • Olgratin_Magmatoe@slrpnk.net
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    23 hours ago

    You can disagree with laws, but that feels like a terrible reason to nullify a legitimate guilty decision.

    No, it can often be a good reason. I disagree with laws that would make it illegal for trans people to use their preferred bathroom. They punish women for not being feminine enough, it forcibly outs trans people. It’s dangerous and stupid.

    Anybody who votes not guilty in such a case is right to do so.

    • CuriousRefugee@lemmy.ml
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      19 hours ago

      I replied to the other thread before you, but it’s a good point that atrociously unjust laws are good targets for jury nullification. Bathroom laws are a good example, although I fear that we wouldn’t necessarily be on a jury where all other 11 members agree with us that it is an obvious violation of a trans person’s rights, sadly. Especially in the states where those laws exist. A hung jury, where not everybody agrees is better than a conviction, but a “not guilty” verdict can’t be re-tried (in almost all circumstances).

      • Olgratin_Magmatoe@slrpnk.net
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        18 hours ago

        A hung jury, where not everybody agrees is better than a conviction

        Absolutely. Much of the time charges get dropped all together when there’s a hung jury, because it isn’t worth the effort to risk another hung jury.