JURY NULLIFICATION Meaning and
Definition
-
Jury nullification refers to the legal concept where a trial jury acquits a defendant, even if they believe the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, based on their disagreement with the law or its application. It is the power and right of the jury to disregard the instructions of the judge and the evidence presented in the case, and instead, render a verdict based on their own sense of justice or their belief that the law being applied is unjust or unfair.
This concept is rooted in the belief that the jury acts as the conscience of the community, providing a check on the power of the government and preventing potential miscarriages of justice. By nullifying a law, the jury effectively rejects its legitimacy or application in a particular case, sending a message that they will not enforce a law that they believe is unjust or unconstitutional.
Jury nullification can be controversial because it allows for the possibility of inconsistent and unpredictable verdicts. Critics argue that it undermines the rule of law and can result in unjust outcomes, while proponents argue that it is an essential safeguard against government abuse and a means for citizens to exert their democratic power. However, it is important to note that jury nullification is not a formal legal defense or procedure, but rather a discretionary power of the jury. Its use is largely dependent on the individual jurors' beliefs and their willingness to exercise this power in a particular case.
Common Misspellings for JURY NULLIFICATION
- hury nullification
- nury nullification
- mury nullification
- kury nullification
- iury nullification
- uury nullification
- jyry nullification
- jhry nullification
- jjry nullification
- jiry nullification
- j8ry nullification
- j7ry nullification
- juey nullification
- judy nullification
- jufy nullification
- juty nullification
- ju5y nullification
- ju4y nullification
- jurt nullification
- jurg nullification
Etymology of JURY NULLIFICATION
The word "jury" originates from the Latin word "jurare", which means "to swear". It was adopted in English during the 14th century and referred to a group of people sworn to render a verdict in a legal case. "Nullification", on the other hand, comes from the Latin word "nullus", meaning "none" or "not any". It refers to the act of making something null or void.
Therefore, the term "jury nullification" is composed of two separate words. "Jury" relates to the group of individuals sworn to give a verdict in a trial, while "nullification" refers to their power to make a legal decision ineffective or void by choosing to disregard the law and acquit a defendant despite evidence to the contrary.
