The right to trial by jury was meant to prevent the government from being able to railroad the innocent. All it takes is one hanging judge and one Mike Nifong. The jury is meant to be a check on their power. Think of the “show trials” in benighted People’s Republics all over the world every day.
The right to trial by jury was meant to prevent the government from being able to railroad the innocent.True, so long as you understand that "innocent" does not always mean "did not violate the law".
Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law," because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.