this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
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[–] jayrhacker@kbin.social 74 points 11 months ago (2 children)

It was also used during prohibition, and courts do more than discourage it, you can be held in contempt for mentioning it.

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 33 points 11 months ago (2 children)

How is it intended to be used then, just pretend it doesn't exist till final deliberations?

It still exists, so when is it intended for?

[–] Armok_the_bunny@lemmy.world 59 points 11 months ago

It exists only as a consequence of two other requirements of the jury process. 1) jurors cannot be held accountable for any decision they make as a jury and 2) any not guilty verdict delivered by a jury is absolute and final.

[–] bemenaker@lemmy.world 12 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It is meant to be a final check and balance on the courts by the populace to prevent tyrannical abuse of power. Say locking up political opposition, as an example.

[–] Hacksaw@lemmy.ca 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That's a common belief, but it's not correct. It isn't MEANT as anything. It's purely incidental. A jury not guilty finding is irreversible. And jurors have certain criminal and civil immunity in their roles as jurors. Both of those facts are important for the functioning of our legal system, but they create a loophole. This loophole was named "Jury nullification" and was mostly used for terrible things like letting racists off.

I'm not saying it's not possible to use it for good, but it's certainly not some intended function of the justice system that's being kept quiet by the powers that be.

[–] Daft_ish@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Wasn't the guy who killed his sons rapist in plain sight of everyone let off due to jury nullification?

[–] trafficnab@lemmy.ca 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Gary Plauché killed his son's rapist in front of a TV crew's rolling camera, he was only charged with manslaughter and received 5 years probation and 300 hours of community service partly due to state prosecutors not believing they would be able to successfully convict him of murder due to the public's widespread support of his actions

[–] Daft_ish@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Soo like the threat of jury nullification?

[–] EatYouWell@lemmy.world 12 points 11 months ago

That sounds like a pretty easy constitutional violation lawsuit, though.