Waay cool jury nullification

Jacob Sullum is a conservative editor and columnist. He shares this incredible story from a defense attorney in Kansas.


I had a jury trial this morning on level 3 possession with intent MJ, level 4 possession drug paraphernalia and level 10 no drug tax stamp. During voir dire, my almost all white, middle-class, middle-aged jury went into full rebellion against the prosecutor stating that they wouldn't convict even if the client's guilt was proven beyond a reasonable doubt -- almost all of them! They felt marijuana should be legalized, what he does with it is his own business and that the jails are already full of people for this silly charge. Then, when the potential jurors found out that the State wanted him to pay taxes on illegal drugs, they went nuts. One woman from the back said how stupid this was and why are we even here wasting our time. A "suit" from the front said this was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard. The prosecutor ended up dismissing the case. Judge gave me a dismissal with prejudice. I'm still laughing my donkey off over this one. I have NEVER seen a full on mutiny by an entire jury pool before. Easiest win ever!

Pretty good news from Kansas.

Jury nullification is how the populous gets their stance heard.
A few cases get dropped and prosecutors will start changing
their tune.

Judging by your other posts Greg you have your ear to the
ground about cases going on. I will always be down to picket
someone's jury selection. Shiiit I would even wear a suit and tie.

Thanks so much for the compliment. I'm just a busted up old man with mobility issues and too much time on my hands. I was unable to make the Conditions Panel hearing in Lansing today, though I wanted to be there.

There are tons of ways to show support. That the State Senate is considering taking our money, to the tune of $3M, and giving it to LEO to make our lives miserable is offensive and disgusting. Contact with your Senator, by phone, written correspondence, or a head to head conversation, would be a real nice touch, and to follow the issue as it moves forward is likewise necessary. That is one of the instant issues and will require all hands. Otherwise we need to keep our noses in the wind and our eyes on the horizon. There are plenty of talented writers here that have much to offer.

I wish more jurors knew about jury nullification and you could talk about it in court.

It would be great if at every mmj trial this were to happen then they might think twice before messing with us, I know pipe dream

I did not know that nullification was a option in till a few years back.
I saw a big FED case in LA with a lot of media attention get dropped.
I do not recall all of the particulars but, the charges were dropped and the
media stopped covering the case after the results. That in it's self
stuck out in my mind. Some high ups in the Gov. must have been
scared of what happened and made some phone calls to hush the
papers.

I would like to see a MMJ advocate group specialize in nullifications.
The Feds do not like wasting their time or losing. They pick up cases
that are slam dunks. I think they would start respecting state MMJ laws
more if this happened with more regularity. 500 people show up with signs
saying respect state laws, on the days that they pick jurors for a Fed MMJ
case, I do not think that would be a waste of time.

Maybe someone with a few more marbles left in their head then I could
chime in here.

This would happen more if you dumb ass stoners voted and showed up for jury duty

Kervork said:

This would happen more if you dumb ass stoners voted and showed up for jury duty

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Point is we do vote and serve on juries, and will continue.

Kervork said:

This would happen more if you dumb ass stoners voted and showed up for jury duty

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some folks may just be apathetic dumbasses. they may also happen to be a stoners. we already know which ones they are, Lol.

I remember a story of guy giving out pamphlets about jury nullification to potential jurors. I think more people should be doing it, hit everybody up like once a month like Bed, Bath and Beyond and we would see this happening a lot more.

Kervork said:

This would happen more if you dumb ass stoners voted and showed up for jury duty

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Always vote and I have been to 2 jury dutys and im a old skool stoner