Free Talk Live

What does a man who attempted to pay a juror $2,500 for a “not guilty” verdict have in common with a 79 retired college professor who handed out information on jury nullification to people entering a court house? This is not a trick question, both men have been charged with “jury tampering.”

Julian Heicklen was indicted of jury tampering last year and now faces federal charges. Heicklen, a 79-year-old retired chemistry professor, has often stood outside various courthouses holding a “Jury Info” sign and handing out brochures that inform jurors of their rights.

Jury nullification, a legal concept that dates back to 17th century England, remains perfectly lawful in the United States, according to a ruling by a federal judge last month.
U.S. District Court Judge Kimba Wood said 80-year-old Julian Heicklin, who was arrested by FBI agents for passing out pamphlets marked "Jury Info" from an organization known as the Fully Informed Jury Association to an undercover agent, was within his legal rights under law to do so. Prosecutors had argued that Heicklin was in violation of U.S. law, which prohibits influencing jurors through written communication.

This "story" perfectly illustrates spontaneous jury nullification in the wild and calls it "jury mutiny." Nullification is never mentioned.

Jury nullification for marijuana "crimes" is gaining steam. People are saying they aren't willing to convict because they think it should be legal.

With a majority of Americans now saying they don't think pot should be illegal, the prosecution demanded that the jury entertain no effort to practice nullification. Prior to opening arguments, the judge dismissed six potential jurors– including five of the first 13 interviewed– for revealing a disinclination or refusal to convict someone of pot possession.

Rastafarian was growing pot "his own religious and medicinal use."
The judge made himself a hero and stated his intent to be the first judge in New Hampshire to grant the instruction on Nullification to the jury.
Thanks to the Free-Staters in the legsilature, starting on January 1, 2013, *ALL* defendants in NH will have the *RIGHT* to insist their jury hear these instructions.
Want to see fully-informed juries stop the drug war, the way they stopped alcohol prohibition? Come to New Hampshire!

"On June 18, Governor John Lynch signed HB 146, which reads:

a Right of Accused. In all criminal proceedings the court shall permit the defense to inform the jury of its right to judge the facts and the application of the law in relation to the facts in controversy."

The only thing that may eventually save the antiwar activists subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury may be jury nullification.

I was checking out this new show and was surprised to find the main character promoting ideas on jury nullification, ending drug prohibition, and exposing the "justice" system for what it really is. This show seems promising so far.