Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by krichman on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @04:26AM
(#5637005)
Everyone needs to be taught about jury nullification for cases like this.
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Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by theycallmemorty on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @08:54AM
(#5637574)
I wonder how hard it would be to write a bot that would search twitter for people mentioning they've been summoned for Jury Duty and send them a tweet about Jury Nullification?
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by suchow on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @12:43PM
(#5639061)
Just grabbed https://twitter.com/NullifyByJury, and did a search that suggests a steady stream of jurors: https://twitter.com/search?q=jury%20duty&src=typd.
Let's do it?
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by suchow on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @01:01PM
(#5639179)
Actually, there must be some legal issues here... anyone willing to advise?
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by krichman on Thursday May 02, 2013 @12:59AM
(#5642649)
I think the courts don't like it at all. (http://www.activistpost.com/2013/02/jury-nullification-activ...). Please do it but also please speak with an actual lawyer first.
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by hmsimha on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @04:50AM
(#5637063)
My understanding of jury nullification is that it applies to a different scenario, typically that of when the jurors share the sentiment that the law the defendant is accused of violating is unjust (or is being unjustly applied). I don't feel like looking up the exact phrasing of the laws pertaining to "possession/discharge of a weapon on school grounds and discharging a destructive device" in florida, but I would guess they mention intent, or culpability [1]. So unless it comes to light that she was aware the chemical mixture she used would create an explosion, I think the charges will be dismissed or she will be acquitted by jury, without having to apply jury nullification.
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by krichman on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @05:37AM
(#5637129)
Yes I think you are right.
But also, my thinking is that recently the US seems to want to trample down many "criminals" for basically downloading things that someone regrets them downloading. I worry about a future where DA's are overzealous about going after people without any mens rea and/or well after the victims of a crime have expressed no interest in continuing the case. Since, in the US, jails are intended to punish instead of rehabilitate and having a felony conviction takes away many of your rights I think they need to be far more careful who they level charges against.
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by pbhjpbhj on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @10:32PM
(#5642148)
Possession of "weapons" charges are in the jurisdiction I reside in strict liability, no intent to use them needs to be shown just the actus rea of possession is sufficient. [Claimed] Ignorance of the nature of the weapon is not a valid defence.
I know practically nothing of the charges or pertinent laws here mind you.
Re:Florida Teen Charged With Felony After Science Experiment...
by Zikes on Wednesday May 01, 2013 @11:20AM
(#5638450)
One of the biggest issues with the justice system is that many criminals never get as far as the jury. They're told that they can accept a plea bargain and spend a few years in jail, or face a jury and in all likelihood be sentenced to decades.