Jury Nullification
The common law authority of a trial by jury preceded our constitution and is the foundation of our legal system. If a jury of peers deems a law unjust, oppressive or inappropriately applied, it has the right and duty to acquit the defendant. Even more than referendums, jury nullification puts the people in control of the law, finding a defendant not guilty when charged with a law the jury finds unjust. As your representative I will introduce legislation revising jury instructions so jurors are informed of their rights before deliberation.