Jury nullification is when a jury in a criminal trial finds a defendant not guilty, even though they believe the defendant broke the law. This can happen for a number of reasons, including: The jury believes the law is unjust or outdated The jury believes the punishment is too harsh The jury believes the prosecutor misapplied the law The jury has prejudices in favor of the defendant Jury nullification is a powerful tool in the American legal system, even though it's not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. It's rooted in the right of juries to render general verdicts, the Fifth Amendment's Double Jeopardy Clause, and the fact that jurors can't be punished for their verdicts. Jury nullification can occur in two ways: Unanimous acquittal All jurors vote to acquit, which ends the case and prevents the defendant from being tried again. Hung jury One or more jurors vote to acquit, resulting in a hung jury. The defendant can be tried again, and the prosecution continues. Other terms for jury nullification include conscientious acquittal, juror veto, or jury pardon. #missouri
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