What is a jury nullification?

Jury nullification is a legal concept in which a jury returns a verdict of "not guilty" despite the fact that the defendant is technically guilty of the crime that they are accused of. This concept is based on the idea that a jury represents the collective conscience of the community and that jurors have the right to act on conscience rather than the law. In Louisiana, jury nullification is sometimes used in criminal cases as a way for the jury to show mercy to a defendant and prevent him or her from being punished for a crime that may not have been intended or necessary. In situations where the jury believes that the criminal charge is unjust, or that the punishment for the crime is too harsh, they can use jury nullification to prevent the defendant from facing the full force of the law. Jury nullification is a powerful tool that is designed to ensure that justice is served and that the collective conscience of the community is heard.

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What is a jury nullification?

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