Pubdate: Sun, 08 Jan 2012
Source: Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)
Copyright: 2012 Gloria Cole
Contact:  http://www.spokesman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/417
Author: Gloria Cole

JURY NULLIFICATION NEEDED

If judges continue to deny affirmative defense in medical marijuana 
cases in spite of medical marijuana laws, jury nullification is the 
only hope for change.

With so many citizens being arrested for marijuana, I feel that it is 
time for people to know the meaning of jury nullification. Judges 
almost never inform prospective jurors of this option.

Jury nullification is a constitutional doctrine allowing juries to 
acquit defendants who are technically guilty but don't deserve 
punishment. When a jury disregards the evidence and acquits an 
otherwise guilty defendant, it has practiced jury nullification.

If the judge fails to provide the wording of the law or you think the 
law is a bad or unconstitutional law or a good law being improperly 
applied, or there are other factors that would make you regret a vote 
to convict someone, then it is your right and duty as a juror to vote 
"not guilty" even if you are the only juror who does so and therefore 
hang the jury.

The prisons are being filled with innocent people for a plant that 
the citizens voted for in the state of Washington. The courts 
continue to ignore the will of the people.

Gloria Cole

Reardan, Wash.
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