jurors need to know that they can say no

8/2/2019 Jurors Need to Know That They Can Say No

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JurorsNeedtoKnowThatTheyCanSayNoByPAULBUTLERPublished:December20,2011

WashingtonRelatedNews

ProsecutionExplainsJuryTamperingCharge(November28,2011)TimesTopic:JurySystem

ReadersComments

Readerssharedtheirthoughtsonthisarticle.

IFyouareeveronajuryinamarijuanacase,Irecommendthatyouvotenotguiltyevenifyouthinkthedefendantactuallysmokedpot,orsoldittoanotherconsentingadult.Asajuror,youhavethispowerundertheBillofRights;ifyouexerciseit,youbecomepartofaproudtraditionofAmericanjurorswhohelpedmakeourlawsfairer.

TheinformationIhavejustprovidedaboutaconstitutionaldoctrinecalledjurynullificationisabsolutelytrue.ButiffederalprosecutorsinNewYorkgettheirway,tellingthetruthtopotentialjurorscouldresultinasix-monthprisonsentence.

Earlierthisyear,prosecutorschargedJulianP.Heicklen,aretiredchemistryprofessor,withjurytamperingbecausehestoodoutsidethefederalcourthouseinManhattanprovidinginformationaboutjurynullificationtopassers-by.GiventhatIhavebeenrecommendingnullificationfornonviolentdrugcasessince1995insuchforumsasTheYaleLawJournal,60MinutesandYouTubeIguessI,too,havecommittedacrime.

TheprosecutorswhochargedMr.Heicklensaidthatadvocacyofjurynullification

,directedasitistojurors,wouldbebothcriminalandwithoutconstitutionalprotectionsnomatterwhereitoccurred.Theprosecutorsinthiscasearewrong.TheFirstAmendmentexiststoprotectspeechlikethishonestinformationthatthegovernmentpreferscitizensnotknow.

Lawsagainstjurytamperingareintendedtodeterpeoplefromthreateningorintimidatingjurors.TocontorttheselawstojustifypunishingMr.Heicklen,whosecourt-appointedcounseldescribehimasashabbyoldmandistributinghissillyleafletsfromthesidewalkoutsideacourthouse,isnotonlyunconstitutionalbutunpatriotic.Jurynullificationisnotnew;itsproponentshaveincludedJohnHancockandJohnAdams.

Thedoctrineispremisedontheideathatordinarycitizens,notgovernmentoffi

cials,shouldhavethefinalsayastowhetherapersonshouldbepunished.AsAdamsputit,itiseachjurorsdutytovotebasedonhisorherownbestunderstandng,judgmentandconscience,thoughindirectoppositiontothedirectionofthecourt.

In1895,theSupremeCourtruledthatjurorshadnoright,duringtrials,tobetoldaboutnullification.Thecourtdidnotsaythatjurorsdidnthavethepower,orthattheycouldntbetoldaboutit,butonlythatjudgeswerenotrequiredtoinstructthemonitduringatrial.Sincethen,itsbeenuptoscholarslikeme,andactivistslikeMr.Heicklen,togetthewordout.


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Nullificationhasbeencreditedwithhelpingtoendalcoholprohibitionandlawsthatcriminalizedgaysex.Lastyear,Montanaprosecutorswereforcedtoofferadefendantinamarijuanacaseafavorablepleabargainaftersomanypotentialjurorssaidtheywouldnullifythatthejudgedidntthinkhecouldfindenoughjurorstohearthecase.(Prosecutorsnowsaytheywillremembertheactionsofthosejurorswhentheyconsiderwhethertochargeotherpeoplewithmarijuanacrimes.)

Therehavebeenunfortunateinstancesofnullification.RacistjuriesintheSouth,forexample,refusedtoconvictpeoplewhocommittedviolentactsagainstcivil-rightsactivists,andnullificationhasbeenusedincasesinvolvingtheuseofexcessiveforcebythepolice.Butnullificationislikeanyotherdemocraticpower;somepeoplemaytrytomisuseit,butthatdoesnotmeanitshouldbetakenawayfromeveryoneelse.

Howonefeelsaboutjurynullificationultimatelydependsonhowmuchconfidenceonehasinthejurysystem.Basedonmyexperience,Itrustjurorsalot.IfirstbecameinterestedinnullificationwhenIprosecutedlow-leveldrugcrimesinWashingtonin1990.Jurorshere,whowerepredominantlyAfrican-American,nullifiedregularlybecausetheywereconcernedaboutraciallyselectiveenforcementofthelaw.

Acrossthecountry,crimehasfallen,butincarcerationratesremainatnearrec

ordlevels.Lastyear,theNewYorkCitypolicemade50,000arrestsjustformarijuanapossession.Becauseprosecutorshavediscretionoverwhethertochargeasuspect,andforwhatoffense,theyhavemorepowerthanjudgesovertheoutcomeofacase.Theytendtothrowthebookatdefendants,tocompelthemtopleadguiltyinreturnforlessharshsentences.Insomejurisdictions,likeWashington,prosecutorshaverespondedtojurorswhoarefedupwiththeirdraconiantacticsbylobbyinglawmakerstotakeawaytherighttoajurytrialindrugcases.ThatispreciselythekindofpowergrabthattheConstitutionsframersweresoconcernedabout.

InOctober,theSupremeCourtjusticeAntoninScalia,askedataSenatehearingabouttheroleofjuriesincheckinggovernmentalpower,seemedopentothenotionthatjurorscanignorethelawifthelawisproducingaterribleresult.Headd

d:Imabigfanofthejury.Imabigfan,too.IwouldrespectfullysuggestthattheprosecutorsinNewYorkbringfaircases,theywonthavetoworryaboutjurynullification.DroppingthecaseagainstMr.Heicklenwouldletcitizensknowthattheyareascommittedtojustice,andtofreespeech,astheyaretolockingpeopleup.

PaulButler,aformerfederalprosecutor,isaprofessoroflawatGeorgeWashingtonUniversityandtheauthorofLetsGetFree:AHip-HopTheoryofJustice.

Readerssharedtheirthoughtsonthisarticle.

BryanSt.Paul,MN

Caitlinwrote:"Wouldn'titbegreatifMr.Heicklen'scasewenttotrialandthejurynullified?"

No,itwouldbegreatifhewerefoundnotguilty.

Also,Mr.Butlerusedtheword"but"twiceinonesentence.Tsktsk.


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Dec.22,2011at12:34p.m.Recommended1

CaitlinMcArthur

Wouldn'titbegreatifMr.Heicklen'scasewenttotrialandthejurynullified?However,itwouldbeinterestingtoseehowthatturnedout,astheSupremeCourthasruledthattoeducatethejurorsontheirpowertonullifyisimproper,asMr.Butlerpointsout.


BruceBrooklyn

I'vebeenajurorforcriminalcaseswherethejudgehaschargedthejury.Withinthechargearethefollowinginstructions,"...Iftheevidencepresented,andfoundtobetrue,doesnotprovebeyondareasonabledoubtthattheaccusedcommittedthecrimetheyarechargedwith,theyMUSTbefoundnotguilty.Iftheevidencepresented,andfoundtobetrue,thattheaccusedcommittedthecrimetheyarechargedwith,theyMAYbefoundguilty..."Whileallofthetextmaynotb

eexact,the"must"and"may"are.The"may"permitsajurortoreachafindingofnotguiltyregardlessoffactsthejurormayhavefoundtobetrue.


ChrisMNY

Don'tforgetaboutjudgeKimbaM.Wood.Sheneedstogotoo!

Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.

JeffPittsonNewYork

Peoplearetheprimepoint,notlaws,notgovernments,notjudges,notpolice,notideology,noranyismofanykind.Whenweforgetthatwehavepoweranddon'tuseit,wegetabusedandsubjugated.Havingexperiencedaframe-upbypoliceinmyfamilyIalwaysrememberwhatafriendsaidtomeyearsago:

"IlovemycountrybutIkeepadeepeyeonmygovernment."

Votejurynullificationwhenindoubt.Giventhegridlockinournationallegislativebodies,thepeoplearedutybound

toactifonlyonapersonalbasis.BravotoMsrs.ButlerandHeicklen.Thisisstillafreesociety.Scalia'sfinalwordsareprofoundandcorrect!


BillMitchellVallejo,CA

Backinthe60'sIwasbackpackinginBigSur,gotcaughtinadownpourwithout


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atent,anddecidedtopullbackawindowscreenandclimbintoanabandonedhouseonstateparkpropertytowaitoutthestorm.Afertenminutes,arangershowedupandwrotemeasummonsfor"illegalcamping".Iaskedforajurytrial,argueditmyself,andgotahungjurytwice.Ithinkjurieshavealwaysnullifiediftheythinktheoffenseissoslightastonotbeworththetimeandeffortofacriminalprosecution.


ErwinHaasGrandRapids,Mi

Jurynullificationisnotthejurydecidingthatthedefendantshouldnotbepunishedforacrime,butratherthatthelawinquestiondoesnotgrowoutofthecustomsandbeliefsofthepeople,shouldnotbeahonoredasacrime,andshouldbediscarded.


LindaCT

Righton!Keepgettingthewordout.HereinCTtheprosecutorsregularlyvoirdirejurorsaskingiftheywillfollowthejudgesinstructioneveniftheydisagreewiththelaw.Ithinkthisshouldbeprohibited,asitintimidatesthejuryanddisqualifiesanyonewhowoulddarenullify.


BemusedManhattan

Occupythejuries.


CAKingCityCA

Assomeonewhohassaton4differentjuries,Icanattestthatmanyofthecasesthatgothroughoursystemaretheresultofprosecutorialoverreach.Icanalsoattestthatdespitethepresumptionofinnocence,mostpeoplearepredisposedtothebelievethegovernment'ssideofthestory.On3ofthe4cases(onesettledbeforeverdict)thefirstballotswereallmajority"Guilty",althougheventually,2ofthe3wereultimately"NotGuilty".EvenifI'mleaningtowardsGuilty,IalwaysvoteNotGuiltyonthefirstballot,becauseIwanttomakesuret

hatnooneisconvictedwithoutathoroughdiscussionofthefactsandrationaleforconvicting.Onthelasttrial,IwaspreparedtohangthejurybecauseIrefusedtovoteguiltyonacasethatnevershouldhavebeenprosecuted,eventhoughmanyofthejurorswereinitiallysaying"butwehavetofollowthelaw!".ThanksforgivinganametowhatIwasdoing,andforlettingmeknowthatIwas,infact,followingthelaw.



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SteveRNY

Decriminalizingmarijuanaisdeadobviousonineverywayexceptthepolitical.Ofcourserelyingonpoliticianstosolveanyproblemisfruitless.Perhapsjurynullificationistheanswer...


SteveCT

Bothsidesinajurytrialareentitledtoajurywhosemembersarecommittedtoafairandimpartialassessmentofthecase.Nullification-whichmightfairlybedescribedasthepursuitofaparticularagendaregardingthelawinquestion-isbydefinitionnotimpartial.Andanyonewhodishonestlyswearstofollowthelawinthecasecannotbetrustedtofairlyconsideralltheevidence,either.


DavidNYC

Horribleidea.Somyguiltorinnocencedependsnotonsettledlawbutontheopinionsofsomeonewhomightnothavecompletedhigh-school?

Whythepresumptionthatthejurorwillalwaysfindyouinnocentagainstthejudge'swishes,itcouldgobothways.GuiltybecauseIdon'tlikeyourpoliticsorthecolorofyourskinnotbecauseofthelaw.

Howwouldoneevenknowwhatthelawwasifjuriescanmakeitupastheygoalong?


cdcGeorgia

Thewaythedeckisstackedagainstjurynullificationalmostguaranteesthatitwillnotbeusedfrivolously.Itisoneofthegreateststrengthsofoursystemthatajuryconvincedthatalaw,orit'sapplicationinaparticularcase,isunjustcanproduceabetterresult.


TomGeorgia

Legislatureswritethelaws,notthecourts.Ifcitizensdon'tlikecriminalpenaltiesforsmallamountsofmarijuanapossession/use,theplacetofixthatperceivedproblemisnotbyunleashingthehoundsofjurynullificationuponthejudicialsystem.

Thefirstamendmentdoesnotprotectyouwhenyouyell"fire"inacrowdedtheat


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er.Ajuror,inagreeingtoserve,givesupsomeoftheirrightsunderthefirstamendmentbytakinganoathtofollowthethecourt'sinstructionseveniftheydisagreewiththelaw.

Toallowjurorstowrapthemselvesinthefirstamendmentand"followtheirconscience"istomakeeverytrialacrapshootdependentuponthewhimofthoseinthejurybox.Itwouldmakeamockeryoftheconceptthatweareanationoflaws,sincethemen/womeninanyparticularcasecouldignorethelawiftheyfeltlikeit'sthe"rightthing"todo.


AlumSeattle

NYTPick

In1955,EmmettTill,anAfrican-AmericanfromChicago,travelledtoMississippitovisitrelatives.Onenight,threewhitemenkidnappedhim,torturedhim,murderedhim,weightedhimdownandthrewhiminariver.Hisbodywasrecovered.Thethreewhitemenwerechargedwithmurder.Attrial,themenadmittedtothekidnapping,claimingtheywerepunishingTillforspeakingtoawhitewomanbutdeniedthemurder.Anallwhitejuryacquittedthem.Thatwasjurynullification.

Afterthetrial,thethreemen,protectedbythedoublejeopardyclauseoftheConstitution,braggedthattheyhadcommittedthemurder.

In1946,IsaacWoodard,anAfrican-AmericanwhohadjustbeendischargedfromtheUnitedStatesArmy,stillinuniform,wasbeatenandblindedbyaSouthCarolinadeputysheriff.BecausethestateofSouthCarolinarefusedtoinvestigate,PresidentTrumanorderedtheJusticeDepartmenttodoso.Thedeputysheriffwaschargedinfederalcourt.HeadmittedblindingWoodard.Anallwhitejuryacquittedhimafter30minutesofdeliberation.Thatwasjurynullification.

Jurynullificationisantitheticaltotheruleoflaw.

Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.

Recommended30

EdmundDantesStratford,CT

Forthosewhoadvocateredressfromthelegislatureovernullification(theslopeistooslippery),thousandshaveworkedfordecadesforthereformofmarijuanalaws.Wherehasthatgottenus?50,000wasteful,stupid,expensivearrestsinoneyearformarijuana,inNYCityalone!Wehavetostopthemadness,itisdestroyingourcountry.Thelegislaturehasturnedadeafeartoourcries,theyhaveapparentlybeenboughtoffbyBigAlcoholandBigPharma.

Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.

Recommended23

tedBrooklyn

Powertothepeople!



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TheknobSouthAcworth,nh

Thankyou.Thisisagiftofwonderfulknowledge.


AaronSFlorida

So,someonewantstomakeitacrimetoEDUCATEajury?Juriesneedthisfreedominordertocorrectdifferencesbetweenthelawandjustice(theyarenotalwaysthesame,youknow).

Ifamanshootsthechildmolesterthatharmedhisfamily...I'mgoingtovoteNOTGUILTY.Why?Becauseit'sright.

Ontheotherhand,asnoted,someprettybadthingscanarise.Itseemstomethatthereoughttobesomesortofunderstandingthatjurynullificationisvalid...UNLESSitwillresultinclearinjustice,etc.Ifanalgorithmcanreplaceajudge...thenitSHOULDreplaceajudge.Butwearehopingthatgoodjudgecandiscernwheninjusticehastrulytakenplace...andnotjustavaliduseofjurynullification.


porcupinepalomaha

So,weareanationoflawsbutnotofmen,inallthingssavethecriminaltrialprocess?Hmmmmmmm.


toddNewYork,N.Y.

AProspectiveJurordoesnothavetoanswerquestionsaboutwhetherhebelievesaparticularlawisjust.Onlythathewouldbefairandapplythelawwithoutprejudiceasbesthe(she)can.Wouldconsiderseriouslythefactsofthecase.Ifajurordoesnotlikemarijuanalawsthejurorcanjustsayhedoesnotwanttodiscussspecificlaws.That'sMYopinion!GreatarticleTHANKS!


SteveBolgerNewYork,NY

Technically,youviolatethejuror'soathofofficeifyoutakeitgoingintoacasewhereyouareprejudicedtonullify.That'swhyI'veneverbeenajuroronadrugcase.



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commonsenseSeattle

Thankyou,Paul,forwritingthisarticle.

Thiswouldbeagreatclassroompresentationforahighschoolorcollegecourse.Studentsaregenerallyenthusiasticproponentsofbeingfair,yetfeelthattheyhavenopower,wouldbeveryinterestedinlearningaboutjurynullification.

PerhapswecouldinstitutevoternullificationforthevotesthatgotourcurrentCongressionalleaderselectedandseated...


chrisbChicago

PerhapsMermelsteinwilltrytoprosecuteyounowtoo,sinceaccordingtoherdefinitionyoujusttriedtotamperwiththousandsofpotentialjurors,knowingtheywillreadthepaperinthemorningbeforejurydutytoday.

Ormaybesheonlyharassescrazyoldmenonthestreet,notpeoplewhocanfightback.

chrisbChicago

PerhapsMermelsteinwilltrytoprosecuteyounowtoo,sinceaccordingtoherdefinitionyoujusttriedtotamperwiththousandsofpotentialjurors,knowingtheywillreadthepaperinthemorningbeforejurydutytoday.

Ormaybesheonlyharassescrazyoldmenonthestreet,notpeoplewhocanfightback.

Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.

Recommended23

PJDGuilford,CT

Aquickgoogleturnsupat,ofallplaces,fox.com,thisinterestingarticle:http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,163877,00.html


JDWRedding,CA

Isn'titalsocalledjuryreview?Juriescanruleontheconstitutionalityofalawratherthanbeinginstructedbythejudgeastohowthelawshouldbeinterpreted.Ibelievejuryreviewhasalongerhistoryincommonlawthandoesjudicialreview.Also,ifonewastoespousejuryreview/nullificationandbeheldincontemptofcourt,isthatnewdefendantillegibleforatrialbyjury--onethathopefullywouldalsousejuryreview?



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OnWisconsinRacineCounty,WI

I'mcuriouswhyeverydefenseattorney,ateveryjurytrial,wouldnotstarthisargumentbyeducatingthejuryabouttheirrighttonullify.EveniftheUSSChasruledthatthejuryhasnoRIGHTtoknowaboutnullification,itseemslikeitwouldbenefitthedefendantifeveryjuryweretolearnofnullifcationasanoption.


c37725Wichita,KS

HasNYCalwaysbeenlikethis?Itseemstomethat,sinceSeptember11,2001boththepoliceandprosecutorshavebeenpushingthecitytowardsbecomingapolicestate.


EJS

GraniteCity,Illinois

Oops,myearliercommentclearyestablishesthatoneshouldactuallyreadthearticlebeforecommentingonit.


PetroniusMiami,FL

When,doyouthink,thisgovernmentwillcometoitssensesanddecriminalizemarijuana?

Andforprosecutorstobringa79year-oldmantotrialfordistributingpamphlets,iscriminalinitsveryessence.


SteveCT

Agreestronglywiththecommenterswhopointedoutthatjurorsarerequiredtoswearanoathpledgingtofollowthelawinthecase.Nullificationviolatesthatoath.Thejuryboxisthewrongplacetorewritethelaw.


DemocracyNowEastCoast

Sure,let'sjustrelieveallAmericansoftheirobligationstoobeythelaw.Whynot?Peoplearewalkingawayfromthemortgagecontractsthattheysigned.MembersofCongressroutinelyabsolvethemselvesofresponsibilityforthemessinWashington.Financiersarenotprosecutedfortheircrimes.Corporationsleavea


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messbehindanddon'ttakeresponsibility,leavinggovernmenttocleanitup.Keepitupandthelaw,contractsandaperson'swordwillmeannothing.

Jurorshavenobusinessdeterminingwhichlawsshouldbeenforced.Thelawisthelaw.Ifyoudon'tlikeit,changeitthroughthelegislativeprocess.Ifyou'reselectedforajury,tellthejudgeaboutyourdoubtsandtryandgetdismissed.

Obeyingthelawiswhatwedoinacivilizedsociety.ThealternativeisfarworsethatMr.Heicklen'sproblem.


KevinFlatbush

WhileIwasunawareoftheterm"jurynullification"ivotedagainstmanyminordrugindictmentsandencouragedmyfellowgrandjurymemberstodothesame,indirectoppositiontotheAssistantD.A.'sinstructionsthatwecouldonlyjudgethefactsofthecase.IfIhadknownthetermIwouldhaveconvincedafewmoreofmyfellowjurors,andperhapspreventedmoreneedless,expensiveandraciallybiaseddrugprosecutions.


obscurechemistColumbia,MD

WhenIamonjury,Ihaveallthepower.IwilldowhateverIlike.Noone,nojudge,nobarrister,nolawenforcementofficer,notradition,andnolaw,willexertanypowerwhatsoeveroverme.Andononecanstopme.Furthermore,iftheonlychargeispossessionofweed,Ivotenotguilty.AndIalwayswill,becauseI,thejuror,havethepower;andIamhappytouseit.

Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.

Recommended16

DanielBernsteinIowaCity

WhilethefellowhandingoutliteratureonullificationhasaFirstAmendmentfreedomofspeechright,thejurydoesnothavetherighttomakelaw.LegislativepowerbelongstotheStateandtheFederalgovernmentsunderthetheirrespectiveConstitutions.WhileIbelievethatthelawsregardingmarijuanaarefoolish,jurorsarenotlegislators.Thisremainsthecasenomatterhowmuchwemayagreeordisagreewiththeirfindingsinhindsight.Infact,jurorsinIowaareinstructedthattheydonothaveanullificationrightincivilandcriminalcourt.Thisisinconformancewiththenotionthatwearesupposedtobeanationofl

aws,notofmenorwomen.Theauthorseemstomisunderstandthedangerofreversiontotheopposingprinciple.


CRSI,NY

Theauthor,inmyopinion,convenientlyframestheargumentaroundarathersymp


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atheticissue(i.e.non-violentdrugoffenses)whileofferingonlyabriefparagraphoutliningwhatcangowrongwtihjurynullification(i.e.racistjuriesinthesouthduringthecivilrightsera).

Similarly,hepartiallyquotesJohnAdams(ah,don'tyoulovewhenpeopleonboththeleftandrightconvienientlyquotetheFounderstomaketheirpointsforthemwhileignoringwhatdoesn't?),butfailstorecognizethefactthatAdams,throughnofaultofhisown,wastalkingonlyabouttherightofjurynullificationwhenitcametomen.Thus,inthisinstance,twoandtwodonotequalfour.

Thepointis,thismayverywellbeanissueworthdiscussing,butit'sgoingtotakemorethanan855wordopinionarticletoundohundredsofyearsofjurisprudence.Ormaybeit'sjustme.


jng54rochesterny

Slightlyoffthemainpoint,butasadefenseattorneyI'mdismayedthatMrHeicklen's"court-appointedcounseldescribehimas'ashabbyoldmandistributinghissillyleafletsfromthesidewalkoutsideacourthouse.'Thereareoccasionswhena"droolingidiot"defensemightbetheonlyoneavailable,butthisisplain

lynotoneofthem.Theyrepresentaretiredprofessorwho'smakingalegitmateconstitutionalargument.Notonlyshouldtheybeashamedforpublicallytraducingtheirclient,butthetacticamountstoanunseemlyandself-defeatinggrovelingbeforetheprosecutors,sincetheimplicitmessageisthatMr.Heicklenshouldbeforgivenbecausehe'sanoldfool,notacquittedbecausehehasbrokennolaw.


GuidoNewYork

Mostofthediscussantsseemtoforget,ornotnoticing,thatjurynullificationisnotevensomethingthatcanbetrulyargued,issomethinglogicallyimpliedbytheveryinstitutionofthejury.Sincethewayjurorsvotescannotbequestionedtheywillalwaysandforeverhavethepowerofdisregardingcurrentlawifsotheywished.Bytheway,inprocesseswithoutajury,theverysamepoweriswieldedbythejudge.Sinceatacertainpointtherealwayswillbeafinaljudgmentwithnofurtherappeal,thepossibilityofdisregardingcurrentlawwillalwaysbethere.Individual(andgroup)judgment,withallitscontingency,cannotbewishedaway,itiscalledthehumancondition,makepeacewithit.


BenGraham'sGhostNewMexico

Mr.Butler,whynotadvocatejudicialnullification,too?

AsAdamsputit,itiseachjurors[judge'sorSupremeCourtJustice's]dutytovotebasedonhisorherownbestunderstanding,judgmentandconscience,thoughindirectoppositiontothedirectionofthecourt[law].


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Idon'thaveaproblemwithajurornullifying,aslongasthejurorhonestlybelievesheorsheisfollowingthelaw.

IthinkMr.Butlerfailstounderstandhowthelawdemandstheinterplayofprecedent,statute,conscienceand,yes,evolvingmorals.It'softennotblackandwhite.Shameonhimformakingitsoundasthoughitis.


dmckjArizona

I'mallforjurynullification.

IwishIhadunderstoodbackwhenI,unfortunately,helpedtoputawomanbehindbars(hereinmywhackyhomestateofArizona)fornogoodreason.Itookapollofthejurorsastowhetherwewouldfindherguiltyifweknewshewasgoingtojail--notonejurorputahandup.Nevertheless,wefoundherguiltyandthoughtthejudgehaddiscretion.Hedidn't,andshewenttojail.IfIhadunderstoodjurynullificationIwouldhavehungthejury.

ConservativeslovetoargueaboutfreedomsandtherightsofStatestoretaincontroloverallpowersthatarenotcededtotheFederalgovernment.Yet,thisof

tenenshrinesthestates'powerstotakeawaycitizen'srights,astheycharacteristicallydoinmoreconservativestates.

Isaythatjudgesshouldhaveverylimitedpowersintellingjurorswhattheyshouldorshouldn'tdointermsofeducatingthemselvesaboutthelaw.

Further,IwouldarguethatthefederalgovernmentshouldestablishajurorsBillofRights,whichwoulddemandthatstate'sfullyinformjurorsaboutpunishmentsandsentencingguidlinesbasedontheoutcomeofjurydecisions.

Tonotdososmacksof'justice'aswasmetedoutoncommunistRussiaandChina.

Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.

Recommended10

TomNewYork

Coulditbeanyotherway?Arejurorstositbyandendorsestateactiontheyfindmorallyreprehensible?

TheNurembergdefensehaslongbeendiscredited.Jurorscan'tjustthrowuptheirhandsandsaythelawrequiresthisverdictwhenmoralitydeniesit.

Oftentimeswhenjuriesengageinnullificationtheycomeupwithhairbrainedtheoriestoacquit.Theyneedtoknowtheydonotneedtobecontortionistsbefor

etheycandowhatismorallyrequired.Nullificationisanimportantbulwarkagainstanoverreachingstate.


MichaelLosAngeles,CA

Prosecutingsomeoneforadvocatinganunpopularpositioniswrong,unlessthata


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dvocacypresentsarealandimminentthreattothewell-beingofothers.

Advocatingthatjuriesmakedecisionsbasedonpersonalinterpretationsofthelawandwithoutregardtothefactsiswrong.Individualconsciencedoeshaveitsplaceinthelegalprocess,butjurorssweartoabidebytheprocess.Thosewhocannotdecideimpartiallybasedonthelawandthefactsshouldsaysobeforehandandnotserveonthepanelinspecificcases.


R.O.WilsonNewYork

HavingtwoUSSupremeCourtdecisionsthatclearlysupportjurynullification,thematterissettledlaw.Judgesandprosecutorswhoarefloutingthislaw,threateningpersonswhoadvocateorpracticejurynullification,areproperlytobearrestedandchargedwithafeloniousviolationoftheiroathofoffice.


kehammelMadison,WI

WereMr.Heicklenstandingoutsideacourthousehandingoutleafletspromotingacertainverdictinaparticulartrial,thatwouldbeanattemptatjurytampering.Buttohandoutleafletspromotingnullificationingeneral,withoutreferencetoanyspecificpendingcase,ismerelyanexpressionoffreespeechrights.Andit'sirrelevantwhetherjudgesorlawyersinsidethecourthouseagreethatnullificationisacceptablethefactthatit'snotprohibitedbylawmeansthatMr.Heicklenisnotpubliclyadvocatinganythingillegal.Theauthoritiesshouldgetoffthisman'sback,nomatterhowinconvenienttheymayfindhisactivities.


GlennNYC

Onedoesnothavetosupportjurynullification(and,frankly,Paul,IthinkyoufartooblithelydismisstheproblemrepresentedmostnotoriouslybyracistjurynullificationintheSouth)tounderstandthatprosecutionofMr.HeicklenisaclearaffronttotheFirstAmendment.


zugzwangPhoenix

Whetheryoulikedhimornot,SenatorTedStevenswasconvictedbyextrememisconductbytheUSJusticeDepartment.TheyliedandconcealedfavorableevidenceinordertogetaWIN.Asanempiredeclines,thepursuitofjusticeisovertakenbycareerismandpoliticalambition.JurynullificationwaswiselyaddedtotheConstitutioninanticipationofthiseventuality.

Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.


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Recommended13

RobertSanFrancisco

NYTPick

Anothermajorhistoricalinstanceofjurynullificationimposedemployerliabilityforworkerinjuriesandleddirectlytocreationoftheworkers'compensationsystemsineachstate.

Underthecommonlawinthe1800s,employershadnoliabilityforinjuriestotheirworkersunderthe"fellowservantrule",whichsaidthatnoemployer(orlord)wasliableifoneservantharmedanother.Juriesrefusedtoacceptthisimmunitywhenconfrontedwithclearexamplesofinjuriescausedbyemployersputtingemployeesinunsafeworkingconditions.Theworkers'compensationlawsrestoredemployerimmunityiftheymaintainworkers'compensationcoverage,otherwisetheycanbesuedintort.

Itisshamefulforprosecutorsandjudgestoclaimjurynullificationisillegal;itisakeysourceofvitalityinourdemocracy,especiallywhenindividualsareconfrontedwithinjusticescreatedbybiggovernmentandbigbusiness.

Dec.21,2011at12:03p.m.

Recommended37

PaulZorskyMaryland

Whoknew?

ThisisgreatinformationandaddstomyappreciationoftheframersoftheConstitution.CitizensdohavetherighttotakecorrectiveactionwhenCongressisincompetentandimplementoppressivelaws.Excellentandusefulinformation.

Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended26

EdmundDantesStratford,CT

Greatarticle.Atlast,somethingboththeleftandtherightcanagreeupon.

It'slongpasttimetoendthefailed"warondrugs."Wenolongerhavethemoneytowasteonthisunproductivenonsense.Whenthepoliticiansproveunresponsive,thepeoplemustthemselvesrebelandnullifythesefoolishlaws.

Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended34

CassandraSacramento

Thisisdangerousstuff.Whatifajurorinadeathpenaltycasedecidesthattheevidenceisnotlegallysufficienttojustifyadeathsentence,butchoosestooverridetheinstructionsgivenandsentencethedefendanttodeath"asamatterofconscience".Thatleavesthejurorfeelingfine,andmorallyjustified,butleavesthedefendantimproperlysentencedtodie.


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Jurynullificationsoundsfinewhenthereseemstobegovernmentover-reaching,butwhitejurors"nullified"manyproperprosecutionsofwhitedefendantsaccusedofcrimesagainstAfrican-Americansinthecivilrightseraandbefore-thosewhonullifyarenotalwaysgoingtoberight.Campaigntochangethelaw,ratherthanencouraginglawlessness,seemstomeabetterpath.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended4

ReadAll4RepliescommonsenseSeattle

'Ajuror'isonlyoneperson.

Ifeelthatnullificationisgoingtobeusedmoreandmorefrequentlyinthenextfewyears.Interestingtimes.Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended6tomPeasternMassachsuetts

Insomestates(all?),capitalcasesinvolveasecondjurydeliberationregardingthepenalty,Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.

Recommended2GLArizona

JurynullificationwaspracticedforyearsinthesegregatedSouth.Whiteswouldbechargedwithcrimesagainstblacks,butwereoftenacquittedbyall-whitejuriesregardlessoftheevidence.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended8EJSGraniteCity,Illinois

Wasn'tsomemanarrestedandchargedwithsomecrimeinvolvingjurytamperin

gbecausehemadethissameargument?Iguessthedifference,ifthereisone,isthathewaspassingoutleafletsmakingtheargumentoutsideanactualcourthouse,wherehemightinfluencespecificjurorsinspecificcases.Havingsaidthat,Iagree99%withthesubstanceoftheOp-Ed.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended2BemusedManhattan

Iguessyoudidn'treadthearticle.Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended3richard

albany

Ihadthesameexperiencedescribedbymanyofyou.DuringthejuryselectionprocedureIsaidthatthejuryshouldprotectindividualsfromover-zealousenforcementofthelaw.Iwasrejectedbytheprosecutor.Abelieverinjurynullificationcangetempaneledonlybysubterfuge.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended11TJohnNY


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Thelawisclear-nullificationissimplynotthefunctionoftrialjurors,whosejobistodecidewhetherornotanindividualdefendantcommittedtheactswhichformthebasisofthechargedcrime.Itistruethatnoonecanquestionthebasisofanacquittal,buttheopinionsof12peopleastowhatshouldbeornotbeacrimeisnotaproperbasisforone.Otherwise,thedefendantincourtroomAgetsconvicted,whiletheoneincourtroomBisacquitted.ThequestionofwhatshouldbecriminalisfortheLegislature.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended8AlexNewYork

Ifyourargumentiscorrect,theywhydowebotherwithjuriesatall?Defendantsindifferentcourtroomsgetdifferentverdictsallthetime,it'scalledbuyingjustice.JuryNullificationgivesthepoormanachanceto"buy"justicebyappealingtocivilians,asopposedtooverzealous,evidence-planting,racist,thugcops.(TakealookthroughYouTubeforthevideoofthecopdeliberatelyblockingtheNewYorkTimesphotographerfromtalkingpicturesandthenlyingaboutit,andtellmeyouthinkthosethingsinuniformsshouldbeallowedinacourtroomatallunlessit'sinchains.)Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended5JDW

Redding,CA

"ThequestionofwhatshouldbecriminalisfortheLegislature."Doesn't_Marburyv.Madison_leaveituptothejudgetodeterminewhatthelawis?Thencouldn'tthejudgeincourtroomAinterpretthelaw(andsentencing)differentthanthejudgeincourtroomB?Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended3SalDC

Ourentiregovernmentismovingtowardsvoternullification.Secretjuries,droneassassinations,financialtheftonanhistoricalscale,murderandtorture

inoff-shoreprisons.TheEndisNear,anditain'tgonnabeahappyending.I'daskGodformercy,butbothGodandElvishaveleftthebuilding.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended10RachaelMinneapolis

WhereintheConstitutiondoestheauthorfindtherighttojurynullification?TheFirstAmendmentmightcoverdiscussionofthetopic,butI'mhard-pressedtoseehowitsupportsajurorignoringaduly-enactedlaw.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended4French

Boston

Theframershadjurorsmaketheultimatedecisionpreciselytoallowcheckson"duly-enactedlaw."Otherwise,whynotjusthaveajudgeorpanelofexpertsdecidecases?Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended8AlexNewYork


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Rachael,

Whereintheconstitutiondoyoufindtherighttoprivacy?

It'snotthere.AnddidyouknowthatthebasisforRoev.WadeisaPRIVACYone?

See?Itisn'tcutanddriedallthetime.Ajurywouldbeabletoarriveatthatconclusion.Assumingitisn'tjustfilledwithmouthbreatherswhokeepmumbling:Mustfollowinstructions.Mustfollowinstructions.Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended2JDWRedding,CA

WhereintheConstitutiondoesanyonefindjudicialreview?Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended1LeilaliebermanMorningside

Ifjurynullificationiswhenajurorvotesno,whatisitcalledwhenajudgedecidesthataguiltyverdictbyajuryiswrongandgivesadirectedverdictofnotguilty?

Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended4nynynynynewjersey

AjuryIwasoninNewJerseysomeyearsagotossedoutanassaultcase.Twoguyswhohadworkedtogetherinthesamefactoryforabout10yearshadafight.Ithappens.Wefoundthedefendantnotguilty.Theprosecutorhadastompinghissyfit.Don'tmakepeoplesitonjuriestohearstupidcases,please.Itcostsusmoretodrivetocourttodoourcivicdutythanwereceivein"pay."Getreal,people.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended22

PeterLynnNewYork,NY

Aswonderfulasitsounds,jurynullificationisaverydangerous,badidea.Itallowstwelvepeopletooverthrowthelawoftheland.Thereisalreadyamechanisminplacetochangelaws;campaignagainstthem,getelected,convinceamajority,passadifferentlaw.

Theideathatasmallnumberofcitizensshouldbeabletomodifythelawarbitrarilyis,onthefaceofit,silly.IfIcouldfindelevenpeoplewhoagreewithmethatIshouldbeabletotakesomeofMayorBloomberg'smoney(hewouldhardlymissamillionortwo),doesthatmeanthatIshouldbeabletowalkintohisbankandwalkoutwithhismoney?Notreally.

Foralltheanecdotesthattheremaybeaboutinjusticesrightedusingthistool,itisadangerousanduncontrolledmechanismthatshouldnotbeallowed.Letmemakeafar-outanalogyincomparison:RobinHoodwasaheroandabenefittothecountry.Becauseofthisanecdote,shouldeveryonebeallowedtorobtherichatswordpoint?Ithinknot.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended9chrisbChicago


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Theideathatthelawofthelandiswrittenbylobbyistsandpeopleoutoftouchwiththecommonmanisalsosilly.Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended10BobNY

There'sagroupofninepeoplewhoregularlyoverthrowsthelawsoftheland.Canyouguesswhatitis?Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended7commonsenseSeattle

SoyoubelievethattheWallStreetgroupandfinancialinstitutionswhogetrichat'penpoint'(signatures)isabettergroupofheros?

Iwouldhaveagreedwiththat,ifthepeoplesigningonthedottedlinehadfulldisclosure.Instead,theyweredeliberatelymislead,andliedto.Whetherbysword,gunorpen...deliberatelackofdisclosureorhalfrepresentationaltruthdeservesprisonsentencesandprisontime.Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended1

Ramblwrk68Atlanta,GA

Thecounter-balancetojurynullificationisjudicialoverride.Ifthejudgefeelsstronglythatthesentenceshouldbeguilty,thentheycansetasidethejuryverdict.Theappealsprocessthensortsitout,andthelegislativeprocesscandefinethelawmoreclearly.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended2BemusedManhattan

Onceajuryvotesnotguilty,that'sit.Ajudgecannotoverturnthat.

Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended6DeanHenryMichigan

IwasonaGrandJuryandvotednottoindictonafederalmarijuanacase;mostoftheotherjurorswereflabergastedthatIwoulddosuchathing.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended9AdamBevelacquaBrooklynNYTPick

LegalexpertsandattorneyswillwatchMr.Heicklen'scasecloselybecauseifthefederalcourtsallowaprosecutionfordistributinginformationtothepublic,itwouldbeamajornewexceptiontoanindividualcitizen'sFirstAmendmentprotections.

Generally,theSupremeCourthasheldassacrosancttheindividualrighttoprotestthegovernmentthroughspokenorwrittenword.TheCourtonlyallowscontent-neutraltime,placeandmannerrestrictionstopoliticalspeech,andtheCourtsubjectsallsuchrestrictionstostrictscrutiny.Ifthefederalcourtsand,eventually,theSupremeCourtallowsthisprosecutionand/orconviction,itwo


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uldbethefirstcontent-basedrestrictiononspeechupheldinoveragenerationofcaselaw.

Allowingthisarresttostandwouldbeafrighteningprecedentagainstfreespeech.Dec.21,2011at11:14a.m.Recommended44HorstNewYorkNYTPick

Isjurynullificationillegalincertainstates?IrecentlyservedonajuryinNYCcriminalcourt,rightwhereMr.Heicklenpassedoutpamphlets.ForbothofthejuryselectionprocessesIwentthrough(neitherfora"minor"allegedcrime),thejudgesspecificallydiscussedtheprinciplesofjurynullificationwithoutactuallyusingthosewords,andthensaidthatitcannotbeused.

Ihavenotraininginlaw,andthatwasmyonlyexposuretothelegalsystemotherthan"LawandOrder."ButItendtostronglydisagreewiththeideaofjurynullification.Forstarters,ajurorwouldneedtolieduringtheselectionprocess--atleastinthetwocasesIwentthrough,itwasspecificallyaskedifyoucoulddeliveraguiltyverdictevenifyoudisagreedwiththeunderlyinglaw.Evenifthisquestionisn'texplicitlyasked,itwouldbecompletelyunethicalnottomakethisknownduringjuryselection,thatnomatterwhatispresented

duringthecase,youwillautomaticallybehandingdownaverdictof"notguilty."

ThesecondreasonIdisagreeisitplacesundueburdenonthejuror.It'snotalighttasktodeterminethefateofanotherhumanbeing.Ifounditmucheasierwhentoldthatouronlyjobwastodeterminewhetherthedefendantwasguiltyofthelawsastheyarewritten,withoutregardtothepunishment.Ifyouintroducetheideathatthejurorisresponsibleforpunishment,ratherthanthelegalsystem,you'reputtinganundueburdenonasmallgroupofpeople.Dec.21,2011at11:14a.m.Recommended18SarahA.NewYork,NewYork

Beautifully-put.Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended4KenCNewYorkNYTPick

Jurynullificationisindeedthelawandthe100yearbyourcourtstojudiciallywriteitoutoftheconstitutionisanunconstituionaloutrage.OurConstitution,initssixthamendment,providesthat"Inallcriminalprosecutions,theaccusedshallenjoytherighttoaspeedyandpublictrial,byanimpartialjuryoftheStateanddistrictwhereinthecrimeshallhavebeencommitted,..."No

te,byanimpartialjury,notbyanimpartialjudge.Thefoundersprovidedthisrightbecause,havingenduredunjustJudges,imposedonthembythe"mothercountry,"theyunderstoodtheneedforacheckonthecourts,theytrustedthedesireofmostcitizenstofindajustresolutionandtheywishedtoprovideforjustresolutionofindividualcaseswhilepromotingdevelopmentofaconsistentbodyoflegalprecedent.Astothislastpointconsiderthatajudge'sdecisionmustbothfollowprecedentssetbypreviousdecionsofotherjudgesanditselfbecomesapecedentforfuturecourtstofollow.Thedecisionofajury,ontheotherhand,isdeterminativeforthatcaseonlyandsetsnoprecedentatallforfuturecases.ThepublicshouldseethepersecutionofMr.Heicklenforwhatitis-


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anakedgrabforadditionalandunconstitutionaljudicialpowerthat,ifsuccessful,willstripallAmericansofyetanother"constituionallyguaranteed"right.Dec.21,2011at11:12a.m.Recommended36tomfromdennisDennis,Ma

Ihavebeentellingmyundergradsaboutnullificationforyears,&emphasizedthatitisoneofthefew"citizenchecksandbalances"otherthanvoting.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended7DavidFlushing

Personsservingonjuriesareusuallyrequiredtotakeanoaththattheywillconductthemselvesinacertainmanner:

Typicaloathforafederaljuror:

"Doeachofyousolemnlyswear(oraffirm)thatyouwillwellandtrulytry,andtruedeliverancemake,inthecasenowontrialandrenderatrueverdictaccordingtothelawandtheevidence,sohelpyouGod?"

Frequentlytheseoathsrequirethejurytofollowthejudge'sinterpretation

ofthelaw.Itwouldseemthatjurorsarenotpermittedbytheseoathstoignorethelaworitsofficialinterpretation.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended5AlexNewYork

David,

AtypicaloathinvolvingGod.Andyouwonderwhyjurynullificationisnecessary?Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Joan

Brooklyn

Youdon'tlikethemarijuanalaws?Great,neitherdoI,butIdon'tthinkit'sfairtodemonizeprosecutorsforenforcingthelawsastheyare.Prosecutorsshouldn'tbechoosingwhichlawstoenforce.Asforjurors,theyaregoingtovotehowtheyvoterforwhateverreasonstheydeemimportant.That'sjustthewaythesystemworks,forbetterorworse.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended3

ReadAll6RepliesJohnFBrooklyn,NY

Prosecutorsdecideeverydaywhatlawstheyaregoingtoenforce.Ialsooverheardaprosecutor(assistantD.A.)statethatthey"don'tprosecutefalsetestimonyinunimportantcases".Unfortunately,itwasinthedaysbeforecellphoneshadcameras.Ifyoutrulybelievethereisequalandfairenforcementoflawsandtreatmentofcitizens,regardlessofpositionorconnections,youaretrulyignorantofthedailymachinationsofour"justicesystem".*That'sjustthewaythesystemworks,forbetterorworse.*Afterwastingaweekandahalfonaridiculouscivilcase,prolongedby


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acompletelyincompetentlawyer,thejudgecameintothejuryroomwhenthecasewasfinallysettled"outofcourt"tothankus"forourservice"...awomanjurorwhohadtocloseherbusinessfortheweekandahalfcalleditawasteoftime,andthejudgesaid"that'sthesystem".Shetoldhimthatwas"hissystem"andhewasresponsibleforthemessitwasin.Notpartofthesolution,youarepartoftheproblem.Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended2CaitlinMcArthur

Heisnot"demoniz[ing]prosecutorsforenforcingthelawsastheyare."Heisadvocatingthattheynottrytoaddnew(andpatentlyunconstitutional)interpretationstolawsthatareinconsistentwiththeirpurposes.

Jurorswillonlyusethepowertonullifyiftheyareawareofit,preciselybecauseofwhatDavidexplainedinthecommentaboveyours.Itisnottrue,asyousuggest,that"theyaregoingtovotehowevertheyvoter(sic)forwhateverreasonstheydeemimportant."

Respectfully,CaitlinDec.21,2011at1:51p.m.GaryTaustine

NYC

Greatarticle.

50,000marijuanaarrestslastyear,that'sabout137arrestseverysingleday.Ifwesimplydecriminalizedmarijuanathecitycouldreducethenumberofpoliceofficersandgivethosewhoremainabettersalary.Thiswouldresultinlesscorruptionandabetterclassofcareerorientedpoliceofficers-insteadofwannabesoldierswhopepper-spraywomenforspeakingtheirminds.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended62CarolynEgeliValleyLee,Md.

Welcimetomoredestructionofourbasiccivilrights.Thankyouforhighlightingthis.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended7LBarkanTempe,AZ

Thanksforthisarticle,ProfessorButler.Wheniwasrecentlycalledtojuryduty,oneofthequestionsthejudgeaskedprospectivejurorswaswouldwefollowthelawevenifwedisagreedwithit.Somethingsoundedfishyaboutthat,butIsaidnothing.Iwasexcusedonothergrounds.ThenexttimeI'mcalled,IintendtospeakupandI'llhaveyourarticlewithme.

Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended8TechnicAllyToronto

Soifsomeonehandsoutthisop-edonthestepsofacourthouse,canshebearrested?

Orisshe,asshouldbetheabovecontributortotheTimes,protectedbytheConstitution?


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Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended13EricRTucson,AZ

Withoutthewarondrugs,whatwouldwedowiththeinstitutionalizedbehemothsdrainingourtreasury,suchastheBorderPatrol,DEAandtheBATFE?Wecould,andwould,stillillegallyinterveneinColombiaandMexico,whilespendingbillionsto"liberate"thesinglebiggestsourceofheroin,Afghanistan.Themilitarizationoftheseagencies,andlocalpolice,shouldtellusalltobeverywary.Combinedwiththepowergrabsdescribesinthisarticle,weshouldbedownrightfrightened.Theconceptofnullificationshouldbetrumpetedfarandwide.Americansmayneedtoberemindedit'swewhoholdthereigns,butonlyifweexertourpower.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended24RichardM.Waugaman,M.D.ChevyChase,MD

Asspecialinterestsandthe0.1%increasinglycontroltheleversofpowerintheU.S.,jurynullificationisoneofthefewmeanswehaveleftofexercisingourdemocraticrights.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.

Recommended21LynnNewYork

"onlythatjudgeswerenotrequiredtoinstructthemonit"actually,myimpressionisthatjudgesinstructthemontheopposite:ifyoufindXtobetruethenyoumustdoY.Isthatgroundsforanappeal?

I'mnot,however,convincedit'sagreatideaforasinglejurortobeabletostandinthewayofenforcingalawwhenthefactsofthecaseareclear.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended2tomP

easternMassachsuetts

Itisthedutyandobjectofajurytodecidethefactsofacasebasedontheevidencepresented.It'sthejobofajudgetodecidethelaw,includingwhatevidencecanbeadmitted.Asforthecase"whenthefactsareclear,"Ihumblysuggestthatyouwatchthemovie"12AngryMen."Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended7

ebbolles

Ny,NY

Havingservedonfourjuries,I'dsaythatarguingfornullificationwouldbeahardslog.Manyopinionsareairedandtheonlythingjurorsunanimouslyagreetosupportisthelaw.Ifthatpegweretodisappear,ifajurorarguedthateverybodyshouldignorethelaw,I'mnotsurehowtheywouldcometogetherinmakingadecision.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended5MichaelWolfe


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Henderson,Texas

Icouldn'tfindthereference,butinschoolweweretoldthataverypoormanwhosefamilywasstarvingstoleapigfromarichman.Thejurysaid,'Notguiltyifhereturnsthepig.'Thejudgerefusedtoacceptthatverdict,sothejuryreconvenedandreturnedwith,'Notguiltyandhecankeepthepig.'Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended66LarryDavidsonRidgefield,Wa.

TheInquisitionoftheRomanChurchwasenergizedandsustainedbymisguidedfanatics,andbythespoilsproducedbythatecclesiasticalwaronall,wherethepropertyofthe"heretic"financedthatwarsperpetuation.NowadaysitisthesamewithTheWarOnDrugs-whichfeedsoffitsvictimstofinancethepursuitofstillmorevictims,andwhichlikewiseissustainedbymisguidedfanatics.

Thisdrugwarmustend.EvermoreAmericansarecomingtothisview.Andtothisend,jurynullificationisacitizensrightwhichshouldbeknowntoall,andusedwheneverconsciencesays.Onedaysoonsurely,drugusewillbefreelyavailableformedicine,forpleasure;anddrugabuse,treatedappropriately/humanely.

Thehundredsofbillionsexpendedonthedrugwarstodate,neednotbehund

redsofbillionsspentagainintimetocome.Thattreasuremightinsteadbeappliedtomakingthisabetterworld.

Jurynullification...YES!Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended33TedMorganBatonRouge

Gee,IdidnotknowthatIamacriminalforsharingthisconviction,butIdoshareit.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended8

DemeraldaFlint,MI

Thanksforthisinformation!Iconsidermyselffairlywell-educated,anddidn'tknowaboutthis.

Ihaveneverbeencalledforjuryduty,unbelievably.IwillbekeepingthisinmindifIam.Cantheynowchargeyouwithjurytampering?Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended5JimHarringtonSanDiego,CA

Oftentheprosecutorsaretherealcriminals.Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended18edconnorcampsprings,md

Bravo,Bravisimo,Bravolingus!

Thestateexistsatthewhimofthepeople.Ifthepeoplethinkthe"crime"isnotacrime,


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"letjusticebedone,thoughtheheavensmayfall."Dec.21,2011at10:09a.m.Recommended10RitaCaliforniaTrusted

Thestatemayexistatthewhimofthepeople(althoughI'dliketothinkthattheConstitutionismorethanawhim)butthatisdifferentthansayingthatitexistsatthewhimofasingleindividual.Ifyoudon'tagreewithalaw,worktochangeitthroughthelegislaturenotthroughasingleactoffalsebravado.

P.S.It'sbravissimo.AndbravolingusisaninterestingcombinationofLatinandItalian.Dec.21,2011at12:20p.m.Recommended1NicholasJohnsonBrookline,MA

50,000arrestsinNYCforwhatisnowaviolation,andtreatedlikeaparkingticket,inMassachusetts.Soundslikeover-aggressiveprosecution-largelyofminorities-tome.Theexpense,inboththecostofincarcerationandthedamagetopeople'slives,ismind-boggling.

Dec.21,2011at8:36a.m.Recommended83RobPhilly

Iftheninety-ninepercenterswantedtomakeastandforjusticetheywouldbeonthecourthousestepsprotestingonbehalfofMr.Heicklenandjurynullification.Dec.21,2011at8:35a.m.Recommended36ThomasSt.Louis

ThecaseagainstMr.Heicklenisafarce,anoverreach,andpreciselythetypeofprosecutorialabusethatourconstitutionisconcernedwithprotectingagainst.Itshouldbedismissed,notmerelyonFirstAmendmentgrounds,butongroundsthatheisnotguiltyofthecrimewithwhichheischarged.UnlesstheTimeshasomittedtoreportmaterialfacts,Mr.Heicklen'sconductdoesnotappeartofittheelementsprescribedinthelawagainstjurytampering.

Asmuchasdismissalistheproperdispositionforthiscase,itmightbejusttherightpoeticjusticetohaveajurydecideMr.Heicklen'scase.Dec.21,2011at8:34a.m.Recommended61DanA.Arlington,VA

Iwouldgofurtherandaskthattheprosecutorsbechargedwithmisconductforevencharginghim,sincetheyarejustwastingthesystemstimeandpersecutinganinnocentcitizen.Alternatively,theyshouldbefiredforincompetenceiftheywereignorantofthenullifyright.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended16LRVirginia


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Onecan'thelpbutconsidertheroleoffor-profitprisonsanddetentioncentersintheprecipitousriseofincarcerationratesintheUnitedStates.We'vegot5%oftheworld'spopulationand25%oftheworld'sprisoners.What'swrongwiththispicture?TheWaronDrugscontinuesbecauseitisbigbusinessandprovidesacontinualflowoffreshmeattothebeast,theprisonindustrialcomplex.Dec.21,2011at8:32a.m.Recommended110lynchburgladyLakeOswego,Oregon

ThisisthemosthonestandtruethingI'vereadinalongtime.Whenincarceratingapersonbecameprofitable,incarceratingthatpersonalsobecameinevitable.For-Profit,privateprisonsshouldbetotallyillegal.TheStatehastheresponsibilityofprovingguilt,theStateshouldalsohavetheresponsibilityofcarryingoutaguiltyverdict...inaState-runprison.Thereisnorecourseinaprivatelyrunprison.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended11steveKy.

Whatamarvelousidea.Likesomanytragicallylogicalthings,however,Idon'tseeitworkinginAmerica.Ifwewerethathonest,wouldwereallyhavetens

ofmillionsofpeoplemakingalivingfeedingoffthegovernment,orhaveamediaandentertainment-dominatedsocietyatall?

jus'sayin'Dec.21,2011at8:32a.m.Recommended5JRHCarmel,CA

Prosecutorswaryofthistacticwillsimplyexcludejurorswhodonotbelieveinupholdingthelawstheydisagreewith.JuriesarepartoftheproblemintheUS,notthesolution,andshouldbereplacedbypanelsofexperienced,certifiedprofessionalsthatcanobjectivelyevaluateandchallengeevidence.Ourlaws

shouldbechangedthroughthedemocraticprocessormassivecivildisobedience,notbyencouragingroguejurorswhosympathizewiththeplightofaguiltycriminal.Manyarebeginningtoagreewithdecriminalizingdruguse.Voteforcandidateswillingtochangethelaw.Dec.21,2011at8:31a.m.Recommended11tomPeasternMassachsuetts

"Massivecivildisobedience"canbeginwithoneperson,perhapsaprospectivejuror,standingupforwhathebelievesin.Dec.21,2011at11:17a.m.Recommended9

JacobNewYork,NY

"Ourlawsshouldbechangedthroughthedemocraticprocessormassivecivildisobedience,notbyencouragingroguejurorswhosympathizewiththeplightofaguiltycriminal."Really!IthoughtjurorswereALWAYSdealingwithpeoplewhowerepresumedinnocent.Theyareonly"guiltycriminals"afterthejurorshavereachedaguiltyverdict.


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Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended6KTNYCNYTPick

Severalyearsago,,IwasinajurypoolinNewYorkStateSupremeCourtthatwasputthroughvoixdireregardingamarijuanapossessioncharge.Oneafteranother,theprospectivejurorstoldthejudgethattheycouldnotfindthedefendantguiltybecausetheybelievedthatmarijuanapossessionshouldbedecriminalized.Finally,inexasperation,thejudgesaid,"Well,ifyoudon'twanttositonthisjury,wehaveaniceaxmurderdownstairsforyou."

Isupposethatwhatweinthejurypooldidwouldn'tcountas"jurynullification,"becausenoneofusgotonthatjury;wewerealldisqualified.Ontheotherhand,itwasakindofpre-nullification:Whatiftheygaveanillegalwar,andnobodycame?Dec.21,2011at8:31a.m.Recommended72jonryshOaklandCANYTPick

Ifajurorvotestoacquitonthegroundsthethelawinquestionisabado

ne,cantheyberemovedfromthejury?Iftheyfailtoansweraquestionnaireaboutthelawtruthfullyandinfull,cantheybechargedwithacrime?Thesearenotidlequestions:ThelasttimeIwassummonedforjurydutyitwasforacaseinwhichdrugswereinvolved.Igavemy(verylow)opinionofthedruglawsinresponsetojustsuchaquestionnaire,andwasstruckfromthejury.SupposeIhadkeptmypeaceandbeenseated.Whatthen?Dec.21,2011at8:30a.m.Recommended50jonryshOaklandCA

I'mdon'tseehowlawmakerscould"takeawaytherighttoajurytrialindrugcases",sincetheU.S.Constitutionreads(inpart):"Thetrialofallcrimes

,exceptincasesofimpeachment,shallbebyjury;andsuchtrialshallbeheldinthestatewherethesaidcrimesshallhavebeencommitted".MaybethisclauseappliesthetheFederalGovernmentonly;butevenso,wecanseeprettyclearlywhattheframersoftheBillofRightsthoughtaboutjurytrial.Dec.21,2011at8:29a.m.Recommended14CBMartinez,CA

ThisOp-Edisirresponsibleandignorantoftheproperroleofcitizensinourconstitutionalframework.

Nullificationisirresponsiblewhenanabuserkeepsquietduringvoirdirea

ndlaterconvincesotherjurors"byhisownexperience"thatthePeoplehavenotmettheirburdentoconvictonspousalbattery.It'sirresponsiblewhenajurorfailstoholdanothercitizenresponsiblefordrivingundertheinfluencebecauseshedoesthesameandwouldn'twanttobepunished.Nothingdistinguishestheseexamplesfromthenullificationmentionedaboveexceptthesubjectivewhimofthenullifier.Followingthisauthor'sadvice,theabuseranddrunkdrivergofreetobeatandendangerfellowcitizens,withoutdeterrenceoraccountability.

Jurorsswearanoathtoupholdthelaw"asthejudgegivesit,"nottothelawaseachsubjectivelydecidesit.There'sareasonforthisoath.Theproperp


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laceforacitizentochangelawisthroughtheLegislativeandExecutiveBranch.Therearenumerouswaystodoso,e.g.voting,lobbying,financialsupportofcausesandcandidates,education,andpersuasion.However,whenacitizenswearstheoathtobeajuror,heorsheacceptsauniqueroleinourdemocracy.Jurorsmustdecide"thefacts,"absentbias,sympathy,orprejudiceandwithoutallowingpublicopiniontoinfluencethedecision.Bydeciding"thefacts,"jurorsnotonlyhelpholdfellowcitizensaccountableforallofus,buttheyprotectsdefendantsfrommobrule.Dec.21,2011at8:29a.m.Recommended18

ReadAll6RepliesJimBoyntonBeach,Fl.

Ifwehadpoliticiansconcernedaboutinjusticewhatyoupostwouldmakesensebutwhenrepublicansonlypasslawsthatthey'repaidtopass-you'reallwet.Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended7EMA

IsupposehadyoubeenonajuryintheantebellumSouthinacaseabout

aslaverevolt,youwouldbeforcetopunishanyonewhohelpedtheslavesescape?Afterall,itwouldbeyourdutytoupholdthelawasitwaswritten.

Fealtytoauthorityforauthority'ssakeisfeudalism,notjustice.Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended13LaughingdragonSFBayArea

AndifthisprosecutortriesthiscasethisitmustbeappealedallthewaytotheSupremeCourt.Let'shavesomeclarityhere.Dec.21,2011at8:28a.m.Recommended2

wimNY

Aretheprosecutorsreallyarguingthatit'salwaysacrimetotalkaboutjurynullificationifyourintentisforpotentialjurorstolearnaboutit?Howcouldsuchacaseevengoforwardonitsmerits?Dec.21,2011at8:27a.m.Recommended37lynchburgladyLakeOswego,Oregon

Shouldn'tjurynullivicationbetaughttousallinschoolinthefirstplace?Shouldn'tthisbesomethingthatwe,ascitizens,areawareofanyway?

Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended4JohnFBrooklyn,NY

Thiswouldbegreat...arresttheprosecutorsformentioning"jurynullification"whenpresentingthecase.WouldmakeagreatMontyPythonskit.Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended4vermontague


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NortheastKingdom,Vermont

THANKYOU!IwishIhadknownthisearlier,whenIwaspriviligedtoserveonajury.PerhapsmanyofuswillbeemboldenedtoimitateMr.Heichlen,andperhapsthegovernmentwillfeelthescornofthepeopleforstupid"warondrugs"laws.Dec.21,2011at8:20a.m.Recommended21PaulBelleroseTerrace

LikeNancyReaganusedtosay:"Justsayno."Dec.21,2011at8:19a.m.Recommended12JoeyHouston,TX

Fantasticarticle!ItsourdutyasAmericanstostandupthesamewayourfoundingfathersdid.Ifsomethingiswrong,itswrong.Idon'tcarewhereitswritten,orwhowroteit.Hidingbehindridiculousstatementslike"itsagainstfederallaw",or"itsillegalthat'swhy"mightpassthesmelltestinoursocietyofscaredlittlesheep,buthistoricallypeoplewhohidbehindunjust"laws"wereidentifiedbyanotherterm,"COWARDS".Dec.21,2011at8:19a.m.

Recommended40vklipPennsylvania

Iknowthatmanypeopledon't,andthatmanypeopledousemarijuana,bothmedicinallyandrecreationally.Istronglydisapproveofrecreationaluseofmarijuana.Iparticularlydisapproveofsellingorgivingmarijuanatominors.

Thatsaid,Idobelievetheprosecutorsareover-reaching(whichisnotunusual).IbelieveMr.HeicklenwasexercisinghisFirstAmendmentrights.IdobelieveajurorhastheConstitutionalrighttoignorewhatajudgetellsthejuryisthelaw,andvotetoacquitifthatjurorbelievesthelawiswrong(PatriotAct,anyone,speakingoftheFirstAmendment).Unlesstheprosecutorscanshowt

hatMr.Heicklenwasspecificallytargetingjurors-notmightbe,couldbe,prospectivejurors,butpersonsactuallyselectedforajurypoolorjury-Ibelievetheircaseshouldfail.Giventhenumberofpeoplegoingintoacourthouseeveryday,onlyalimitednumbercanbeprospectivejurors.

AsIunderstandthisop-edandthebackgroundstory,Mr.Heicklenwashandingouthisbrochurestoanyonewhowouldtakethemandspeakingtoanyonewhowouldtalktohim.Isuggestthathardlyfallswithinthedescriptionofjurytampering.Ihopeajudgedismissesthiscase,veryquickly.I,forone,wouldbehappytocontributetothecostofMr.Heicklen'sdefenseandthedefenseoftheFirstAmendment.Dec.21,2011at8:19a.m.Recommended27

RobDLConnecticutTrusted

UnfortunatelyrogueprosecutorsanddraconiansentencinglawsarethenorminAmericatoday,andthefightforMarijuanalegalizationhasillustratedthatbetterthananyotherexample.

Themostdisturbingaspecttothisarticlewasthementionofhowprosecutorshavemorepowerthanjudges.Ican'tquiteunderstandhowacountrythatsuppo


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sedlyvaluesfreedomandindividualismaswedo,caneverhaveletthingsgetthisfar.

IfI'meverinapositiontoserveonajuryinamarijuanacasethereisnowayI'dvotetoprosecute.Itisaninsulttoeveryonewhohasbeenavictimofrealcrimethatthestateattorneyscouldstillattempttojustifyprosecutingindividualsoversimplemarijuanause.Dec.21,2011at6:47a.m.Recommended83

jurors need to know that they can say no

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