Jury nullification, when there is an informed and intelligent jury, could cover a multitude of legislative sins.

But how often are juries instructed that they can, essentially, create their own precedent, if they all agree?

The drug laws Mason refers to were made and upheld by a dysfunctional government, creating a war against our own citizens. IMHO, for this moment in time, the nullifying jury might be the only course to real justice until that dysfunction can be remedied.

However, it is not to the benefit of the legal system as a whole to promote real justice, if it thins out their gravy.

I just came from yoga class. It was great! I managed to not shred the little mat with my giant talons or knock anybody over by swishing my huge scaly tail.

It was really nice of them to have class in an airplane hangar for me.

Dude, you pissed off the red haired lady.

*runs for cover*

That’s just complete and utter crap. And if you’d spent any time whatsoever dealing with violent criminals, child rapists or the like — who on any number of occasions do their crimes while coked up or drunk off their asses — you’d know that. And having worked as defense counsel for any number of indigent defendants through the years, I have a very good idea of all of the ramifications of our policies — but the remedy is to change how things work, not be a cheater, not subvert the rule of law.

Edward @ 24 , it’s more than color – it’s usually economic factors. The whites in jail come usually come from poor backgrounds, just like any other race.

Don’t overlook the economics. Why is it we are seeing an overall increase in people incarcerated? People aren’t getting more racist – others are getting poorer.

The so-called criminal justice system is a war against the poor. Approximately 90% of all defendants charged in criminal cases in state and federal courts aren’t able to afford counsel. The courts appoint public defenders and private counsel who are willing to work for substantially reduced fees that won’t even cover their overhead expenses.

There was a time not so very long ago when federal prosecutors devoted much of their time to investigating corporations for illegal activities. By recently firing 9 United States Attorneys for “performance related issues” just a few months after they had received excellent performance evaluations, Attorney General Gonzales has delivered a powerful and foreboding message to federal prosecutors across the country: You will be fired if you investigate and prosecute corporations and Republicans who support Bush and Cheney’s criminal dictatorship.

Meanwhile half the people serving sentences in our nation’s prisons were convicted of drug offenses and half of them were convicted of marijuana offenses. Almost 800,000 people were arrested for marijuana offenses in 2005. With 2.5 million people in our nation’s prisons, isn’t it time to say, “ENOUGH!”

Think about that the next time you sit as a juror in a drug case. Think, JURY NULLIFICATION!

“SIXTH SENSE MEETS COURT TV”

Most memorable line from the movie?

“I see guilty people…”

CityGirl @ 172

From the WaPo’s Reliable Source column today:

� With a massive snowstorm canceling Sunday flights out of Chicago, how did Very Special Prosecutor (and former People mag “Sexiest Man Alive” runner-up) Patrick Fitzgerald make it to the Scooter Libby trial at 9:30 yesterday morning? “Alternate means,” he told our colleague Carol Leonnig, meaning: He drove. All 15 hours or whatever! Whatta guy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..01856.html

Damn, more dedicated than I am!

Oh wait, he’s running this show.

I think this explains why he was in a sour mood yesterday, though.

Maybe y’all should offer to let him stay at the Plame House for the weekends. Make him pay his way by posting at FDL. ;)

JoyB, you’ve ID’d yourself as understanding IPL. We’ve got your number. :-)