What is a jury nullification?

Jury nullification is a legal principle that allows juries in the court system to acquit defendants of criminal charges they believe to be unjust. This is regardless of the evidence presented or the instructions given to juries by the judge. This is often seen in cases of minor offenses, such as traffic violations, that jurors do not feel should warrant a conviction. It can also happen in cases of more serious criminal acts where the jurors may sympathize with the accused and feel the law is unjust. The potential for jury nullification is seen as a check on the power of the government. It allows independent citizens to have a say on the implementation of the law and, in some instances, decide that the law itself may be wrong and should not be applied. Jury nullification is not supported by the courts in North Carolina because it leaves the power of conviction or acquittal in the hands of the jurors, rather than the court. This means that a jury could override the instructions given by the judge on the law. This could lead to jury decisions that are based on personal beliefs and opinions, rather than on legal evidence or instructions. As such, jury nullification is not allowed in North Carolina.

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What is a jury nullification?

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