PROVIDENCE, N.H. (March 9, 2016) – The New Hampshire House has passed a bill that would require courts to inform juries of their right to vote “not guilty” when “a guilty verdict will yield an unjust result.” A coalition of nine representatives, led by Rep. Daniel Itse, introduced House Bill 1270 (HB1270) in January. The legislation would…
PROVIDENCE, N.H. (March 4, 2016) – A New Hampshire House committee has approved a bill that would make jury nullification an official aspect of the state legal system. A coalition of nine representatives introduced House Bill 1270 (HB1270) in January. The legislation would allow a defendant or defense attorney to request that the court instruct…
CHARLESTON, W.V., (Jan. 22, 2016) – A bill in the West Virginia State House would require judges to inform juries of their right to nullify. Introduced by Rep. Ray Canterbury (R – Greenbrier, 42) and two cosponsors, House Bill 2600 (HB2600) would require “a judge to instruct a jury regarding the availability of jury nullification and protecting…
In Montana, citizens rendered a marijuana law unenforceable through jury nullification. Recently, a man was arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana, but the judge could not find one single person willing to sit on a jury and convict him. Unable to seat a jury, the judge was forced to give up and offer…
CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 10, 2015) – Two bills prefiled in the New Hampshire State House for 2016 would require state courts to fully inform jurors of their right to nullify. House Bill 1270 (HB1270) and House Bill 1333 (HB1333) would require courts to “provide jurors with information regarding the authority of the position of juror.” HB1270…
BOSTON, Oct. 4, 2015 – A bill under consideration in the Massachusetts House would reaffirm the right of jury nullification by explicitly allowing defendants to tell jurors about their ability to nullify unjust or immoral laws. Introduced by Reps. Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleboro) and Paul Heroux (D-Attleboro), House Bill 1544 (H1544) would “permit the defendant…
"While you’re at it, nullify everything the government does that is illegitimate, egregious or blatantly unconstitutional."
The Alaska State House of Representatives is considering a bill that would would allow jurors in the Last Frontier “not to apply the law to the defendant” in select criminal cases. House Bill 315 would officially legalize jury nullification of verdicts in cases where jurors believe the “law is unjustly applied to the defendant.” One…
Jury Nullification , understand what your rights are, forget what the judge tells you. He’s a Corporate Puppet!
In 1670, the right of jurors to judge both the law and the facts became part of British constitutional law. It ultimately became part of American constitutional law as well, but you'd never know it listening to jury instructions today almost anywhere in the country. With only a few exceptions, juries are explicitly or implicitly told to worry only about the facts and let the judge decide the law. The right of jury nullification has become one of the legal system's best kept secrets.