Jury Nullification: For or Against it?

[LnGrrrR]

It seems that Plaxico Burress is going to try to rely on jury nullification in his case.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=4362156

For those unfamiliar with jury nullification, here's what it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification

Is it rightful for the people on a jury to determine not just guilt or innocence under the law, but to also determine the lawfulness of the law itself?

I lean towards agreeing with it, but I could see moments where I might disagree. It seems a check on the judiciary by the common people, and I'm ok with that.

[exstatic]

Somehow, I don't think that discharging a firearm in a club and shooting yourself in the leg will qualify as some GREAT injustice that needs the law to be overturned by common citizens. This does show, however, how fucking desperate his defense team has become if this is their "strategy".

[TheProfessor]

I like the power v. right distinction. Juries retain the power to nullify, but it is not an option a defendant should be able to instruct juries on.

Sounds like it's desperation time for Burress if he's actually getting up there. Very little good can come of that - if you've got people sympathetic to his plight or 2nd Amendment rights, I don't know how having him up there will sway them any more than they already have been. I would expect he'll be made to look like a fool under examination.

[Galileo]

It seems that Plaxico Burress is going to try to rely on jury nullification in his case.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=4362156

For those unfamiliar with jury nullification, here's what it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification

Is it rightful for the people on a jury to determine not just guilt or innocence under the law, but to also determine the lawfulness of the law itself?

I lean towards agreeing with it, but I could see moments where I might disagree. It seems a check on the judiciary by the common people, and I'm ok with that.

For it.

Even if you are against it, any juror can do it anyway.

[jack sommerset]

I'm for it in this case. The dumbass shot himself. HAHAHAHA Seriously he shot himself, he has lost millions, he has been punished. Put the fool on probation just in case he is a stupid thug. I really really really doubt he will ever carry a gun again. Prison is also about rehabilitating someone. I don't see serving 2 years (i heard thats what the DA wants) is going to do him or anyone good. Sometimes it does not pay to be famous.

[SonOfAGun]

For.

The law/judges are so saturated in political bullshit these days, sometimes it takes common sense community folk to set my people free.

[LnGrrrR]

I'm for it in this case. The dumbass shot himself. HAHAHAHA Seriously he shot himself, he has lost millions, he has been punished. Put the fool on probation just in case he is a stupid thug. I really really really doubt he will ever carry a gun again. Prison is also about rehabilitating someone. I don't see serving 2 years (i heard thats what the DA wants) is going to do him or anyone good. Sometimes it does not pay to be famous.

Have you seen the 'public service announcement' that 'Burress' did? It's pretty hilarious :)

[jack sommerset]

No but if can find it....Post it. The political side I was against the mayor of NYC asking for the max the day or days after the accident happened.