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8/2/2019 Jurors Need to Know That They Can Say No
1/29
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.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended16
BruceBrooklyn
I'vebeenajurorforcriminalcaseswherethejudgehaschargedthejury.Withinthechargearethefollowinginstructions,"...Iftheevidencepresented,andfoundtobetrue,doesnotprovebeyondareasonabledoubtthattheaccusedcommittedthecrimetheyarechargedwith,theyMUSTbefoundnotguilty.Iftheevidencepresented,andfoundtobetrue,thattheaccusedcommittedthecrimetheyarechargedwith,theyMAYbefoundguilty..."Whileallofthetextmaynotb
eexact,the"must"and"may"are.The"may"permitsajurortoreachafindingofnotguiltyregardlessoffactsthejurormayhavefoundtobetrue.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended25
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!
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended19
BillMitchellVallejo,CA
Backinthe60'sIwasbackpackinginBigSur,gotcaughtinadownpourwithout
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atent,anddecidedtopullbackawindowscreenandclimbintoanabandonedhouseonstateparkpropertytowaitoutthestorm.Afertenminutes,arangershowedupandwrotemeasummonsfor"illegalcamping".Iaskedforajurytrial,argueditmyself,andgotahungjurytwice.Ithinkjurieshavealwaysnullifiediftheythinktheoffenseissoslightastonotbeworththetimeandeffortofacriminalprosecution.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended12
ErwinHaasGrandRapids,Mi
Jurynullificationisnotthejurydecidingthatthedefendantshouldnotbepunishedforacrime,butratherthatthelawinquestiondoesnotgrowoutofthecustomsandbeliefsofthepeople,shouldnotbeahonoredasacrime,andshouldbediscarded.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended31
LindaCT
Righton!Keepgettingthewordout.HereinCTtheprosecutorsregularlyvoirdirejurorsaskingiftheywillfollowthejudgesinstructioneveniftheydisagreewiththelaw.Ithinkthisshouldbeprohibited,asitintimidatesthejuryanddisqualifiesanyonewhowoulddarenullify.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended34
BemusedManhattan
Occupythejuries.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended32
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.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended50
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SteveRNY
Decriminalizingmarijuanaisdeadobviousonineverywayexceptthepolitical.Ofcourserelyingonpoliticianstosolveanyproblemisfruitless.Perhapsjurynullificationistheanswer...
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended22
SteveCT
Bothsidesinajurytrialareentitledtoajurywhosemembersarecommittedtoafairandimpartialassessmentofthecase.Nullification-whichmightfairlybedescribedasthepursuitofaparticularagendaregardingthelawinquestion-isbydefinitionnotimpartial.Andanyonewhodishonestlyswearstofollowthelawinthecasecannotbetrustedtofairlyconsideralltheevidence,either.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended8
DavidNYC
Horribleidea.Somyguiltorinnocencedependsnotonsettledlawbutontheopinionsofsomeonewhomightnothavecompletedhigh-school?
Whythepresumptionthatthejurorwillalwaysfindyouinnocentagainstthejudge'swishes,itcouldgobothways.GuiltybecauseIdon'tlikeyourpoliticsorthecolorofyourskinnotbecauseofthelaw.
Howwouldoneevenknowwhatthelawwasifjuriescanmakeitupastheygoalong?
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended13
cdcGeorgia
Thewaythedeckisstackedagainstjurynullificationalmostguaranteesthatitwillnotbeusedfrivolously.Itisoneofthegreateststrengthsofoursystemthatajuryconvincedthatalaw,orit'sapplicationinaparticularcase,isunjustcanproduceabetterresult.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended12
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.
Dec.21,2011at1:51p.m.Recommended10
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!
Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended10
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TheknobSouthAcworth,nh
Thankyou.Thisisagiftofwonderfulknowledge.
Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended14
AaronSFlorida
So,someonewantstomakeitacrimetoEDUCATEajury?Juriesneedthisfreedominordertocorrectdifferencesbetweenthelawandjustice(theyarenotalwaysthesame,youknow).
Ifamanshootsthechildmolesterthatharmedhisfamily...I'mgoingtovoteNOTGUILTY.Why?Becauseit'sright.
Ontheotherhand,asnoted,someprettybadthingscanarise.Itseemstomethatthereoughttobesomesortofunderstandingthatjurynullificationisvalid...UNLESSitwillresultinclearinjustice,etc.Ifanalgorithmcanreplaceajudge...thenitSHOULDreplaceajudge.Butwearehopingthatgoodjudgecandiscernwheninjusticehastrulytakenplace...andnotjustavaliduseofjurynullification.
Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended4
porcupinepalomaha
So,weareanationoflawsbutnotofmen,inallthingssavethecriminaltrialprocess?Hmmmmmmm.
Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended8
toddNewYork,N.Y.
AProspectiveJurordoesnothavetoanswerquestionsaboutwhetherhebelievesaparticularlawisjust.Onlythathewouldbefairandapplythelawwithoutprejudiceasbesthe(she)can.Wouldconsiderseriouslythefactsofthecase.Ifajurordoesnotlikemarijuanalawsthejurorcanjustsayhedoesnotwanttodiscussspecificlaws.That'sMYopinion!GreatarticleTHANKS!
Dec.21,2011at1:17p.m.Recommended2
SteveBolgerNewYork,NY
Technically,youviolatethejuror'soathofofficeifyoutakeitgoingintoacasewhereyouareprejudicedtonullify.That'swhyI'veneverbeenajuroronadrugcase.
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended9
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commonsenseSeattle
Thankyou,Paul,forwritingthisarticle.
Thiswouldbeagreatclassroompresentationforahighschoolorcollegecourse.Studentsaregenerallyenthusiasticproponentsofbeingfair,yetfeelthattheyhavenopower,wouldbeveryinterestedinlearningaboutjurynullification.
PerhapswecouldinstitutevoternullificationforthevotesthatgotourcurrentCongressionalleaderselectedandseated...
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended16
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
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended3
JDWRedding,CA
Isn'titalsocalledjuryreview?Juriescanruleontheconstitutionalityofalawratherthanbeinginstructedbythejudgeastohowthelawshouldbeinterpreted.Ibelievejuryreviewhasalongerhistoryincommonlawthandoesjudicialreview.Also,ifonewastoespousejuryreview/nullificationandbeheldincontemptofcourt,isthatnewdefendantillegibleforatrialbyjury--onethathopefullywouldalsousejuryreview?
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended2
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OnWisconsinRacineCounty,WI
I'mcuriouswhyeverydefenseattorney,ateveryjurytrial,wouldnotstarthisargumentbyeducatingthejuryabouttheirrighttonullify.EveniftheUSSChasruledthatthejuryhasnoRIGHTtoknowaboutnullification,itseemslikeitwouldbenefitthedefendantifeveryjuryweretolearnofnullifcationasanoption.
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended24
c37725Wichita,KS
HasNYCalwaysbeenlikethis?Itseemstomethat,sinceSeptember11,2001boththepoliceandprosecutorshavebeenpushingthecitytowardsbecomingapolicestate.
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended16
EJS
GraniteCity,Illinois
Oops,myearliercommentclearyestablishesthatoneshouldactuallyreadthearticlebeforecommentingonit.
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended2
PetroniusMiami,FL
When,doyouthink,thisgovernmentwillcometoitssensesanddecriminalizemarijuana?
Andforprosecutorstobringa79year-oldmantotrialfordistributingpamphlets,iscriminalinitsveryessence.
Dec.21,2011at12:22p.m.Recommended30
SteveCT
Agreestronglywiththecommenterswhopointedoutthatjurorsarerequiredtoswearanoathpledgingtofollowthelawinthecase.Nullificationviolatesthatoath.Thejuryboxisthewrongplacetorewritethelaw.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended10
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.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended11
KevinFlatbush
WhileIwasunawareoftheterm"jurynullification"ivotedagainstmanyminordrugindictmentsandencouragedmyfellowgrandjurymemberstodothesame,indirectoppositiontotheAssistantD.A.'sinstructionsthatwecouldonlyjudgethefactsofthecase.IfIhadknownthetermIwouldhaveconvincedafewmoreofmyfellowjurors,andperhapspreventedmoreneedless,expensiveandraciallybiaseddrugprosecutions.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended9
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.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended7
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.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended3
jng54rochesterny
Slightlyoffthemainpoint,butasadefenseattorneyI'mdismayedthatMrHeicklen's"court-appointedcounseldescribehimas'ashabbyoldmandistributinghissillyleafletsfromthesidewalkoutsideacourthouse.'Thereareoccasionswhena"droolingidiot"defensemightbetheonlyoneavailable,butthisisplain
lynotoneofthem.Theyrepresentaretiredprofessorwho'smakingalegitmateconstitutionalargument.Notonlyshouldtheybeashamedforpublicallytraducingtheirclient,butthetacticamountstoanunseemlyandself-defeatinggrovelingbeforetheprosecutors,sincetheimplicitmessageisthatMr.Heicklenshouldbeforgivenbecausehe'sanoldfool,notacquittedbecausehehasbrokennolaw.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended67
GuidoNewYork
Mostofthediscussantsseemtoforget,ornotnoticing,thatjurynullificationisnotevensomethingthatcanbetrulyargued,issomethinglogicallyimpliedbytheveryinstitutionofthejury.Sincethewayjurorsvotescannotbequestionedtheywillalwaysandforeverhavethepowerofdisregardingcurrentlawifsotheywished.Bytheway,inprocesseswithoutajury,theverysamepoweriswieldedbythejudge.Sinceatacertainpointtherealwayswillbeafinaljudgmentwithnofurtherappeal,thepossibilityofdisregardingcurrentlawwillalwaysbethere.Individual(andgroup)judgment,withallitscontingency,cannotbewishedaway,itiscalledthehumancondition,makepeacewithit.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended13
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.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended4
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.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended19
MichaelLosAngeles,CA
Prosecutingsomeoneforadvocatinganunpopularpositioniswrong,unlessthata
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dvocacypresentsarealandimminentthreattothewell-beingofothers.
Advocatingthatjuriesmakedecisionsbasedonpersonalinterpretationsofthelawandwithoutregardtothefactsiswrong.Individualconsciencedoeshaveitsplaceinthelegalprocess,butjurorssweartoabidebytheprocess.Thosewhocannotdecideimpartiallybasedonthelawandthefactsshouldsaysobeforehandandnotserveonthepanelinspecificcases.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended2
R.O.WilsonNewYork
HavingtwoUSSupremeCourtdecisionsthatclearlysupportjurynullification,thematterissettledlaw.Judgesandprosecutorswhoarefloutingthislaw,threateningpersonswhoadvocateorpracticejurynullification,areproperlytobearrestedandchargedwithafeloniousviolationoftheiroathofoffice.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended22
kehammelMadison,WI
WereMr.Heicklenstandingoutsideacourthousehandingoutleafletspromotingacertainverdictinaparticulartrial,thatwouldbeanattemptatjurytampering.Buttohandoutleafletspromotingnullificationingeneral,withoutreferencetoanyspecificpendingcase,ismerelyanexpressionoffreespeechrights.Andit'sirrelevantwhetherjudgesorlawyersinsidethecourthouseagreethatnullificationisacceptablethefactthatit'snotprohibitedbylawmeansthatMr.Heicklenisnotpubliclyadvocatinganythingillegal.Theauthoritiesshouldgetoffthisman'sback,nomatterhowinconvenienttheymayfindhisactivities.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended15
GlennNYC
Onedoesnothavetosupportjurynullification(and,frankly,Paul,IthinkyoufartooblithelydismisstheproblemrepresentedmostnotoriouslybyracistjurynullificationintheSouth)tounderstandthatprosecutionofMr.HeicklenisaclearaffronttotheFirstAmendment.
Dec.21,2011at12:11p.m.Recommended11
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
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