[JoSixChip]

This is how the drug war ends. Juries, empowered to think for themselves

More like this is how the rule of law ends. When juries start judging guilt or innocence based on how they feel, the rule of law is dead. Next, they will base these decisions on political affiliation.

[Gunslingr3]

Our freedom of the press is a direct consequence of colonial jurors nullifying tyrannical laws.
This is the point of a trial by jury of your peers.

[Drew68]

More like this is how the rule of law ends.

I believe it was Jeff Sessions who said the best way to get bad laws repealed is to start enforcing them.

[Mr. Jeeves]

When juries start judging guilt or innocence based on how they feel, the rule of law is dead.

Not exactly:

"Jurors should acquit even against the judge's instruction....if exercising their judgment with discretion and honesty they have a clear conviction that the charge of the court is wrong." -- Alexander Hamilton, 1804

The jury is intended to be the rule of law - the final corrective process to a legal system that may go out of control.

Of course, the Founding Fathers never anticipated a jury selection system like ours has devolved into, either. I've always been of the opinion that jury pools should be made up strictly of volunteers over the age of 55 with demonstrable business or professional experience. The current system of seating unwilling draftees who often lack the ability to exercise judgment in their own lives gives predictably wretched results.

[Lagmeister]

Then, I say we go back to the 10 commandments. Something we all understand. There are so many laws and it's getting worse - how about the 'straw law' in California.

If I ain't coveting your stuff... leave me alone.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The top law is the Constitution, which allows this.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Oh, please!

[Lurker]

“When juries start judging guilt or innocence based on how they feel, the rule of law is dead.“

That is one of the most appallingly ignorant statements ever posted on FR. And after 20 years here, that’s saying something.

L

[WMarshal]

“More like this is how the rule of law ends. When juries start judging guilt or innocence based on how they feel, the rule of law is dead. Next, they will base these decisions on political affiliation.”

Jury nullification is a proud tradition inherited from English Common Law and is a major pillar upholding our American freedoms. A jury of our peers is totally entitled to render a verdict on the law itself at the same time it judges the defendant.

For shame.

[thoughtomator]

> More like this is how the rule of law ends.

The rule of law ends through the making of injust laws, and through the inevitable understanding of the people how manifest the injustice of those laws is.

If you really care about the rule of law, then doing away with unjust laws such as these should be a priority for you.

The rule of law is not the same thing as the rule of laws.

[henkster]

The Rule of Law can also end when an unresponsive government enforces oppressive laws that lack the consent of the governed.