Resolved: In the United States, the principle of jury nullification is a just check on government.

The debate geeks on our staff and the rest of us are thrilled to see this topic being debated by young people across the country! As you will see from browsing around our website, we have a lot of resources here for you to learn about the purpose of a jury and about jurors’ rights and responsibilities in delivering justice. But we thought we’d highlight a few things to help you get started:

• Definition of ‘jury’, Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language (off-site)
• Quotations and Comments on Fully Informed Juries (off-site)
• Jury Nullification: Empowering the Jury as the Fourth Branch of Government, Justice William Goodloe (Word file)
• An Essay on Trial By Jury, Lysander Spooner, particularly Chapters I and X (off-site)

Please also check our Media Catalog for additional essays, books and other materials which we do not have on-line but which you can order from us. And you can give us a call at 1-800-TEL-JURY to request a free Jury Power Information Kit. When you call, be sure to let us know that you are a debater!

http://www.tuccille.com/blog/2010/02/judge-reads-elegy-for-fourth-amendment.html

http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2010/02/18/08-50403.pdf

In 1851, 26 people in Syracuse, New York were arrested, charged and tried for freeing a runaway slave named William Henry (aka Jerry) who had been arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act. Among the 26 people tried was a U.S. Senator and the former Governor of New York! In an act of jury nullification, the trial resulted in only one conviction, “Jerry”who was hidden in Syracuse for several days until he could safely escape into Canada.”

A front page article that appeared in Sunday’s Ocala Star Banner featured the work which Sovereignty Action has done in the distribution of fliers to prospective jurors.

We plan to continue distributing the fliers at the courthouse from 7:30 – 8:30 AM. Normally this is done on Monday mornings, but since the courthouse is closed tomorrow, we will distribute the fliers on TUESDAY.

Many people will read this article. However, some people only read the sports section. THEREFORE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO FURTHER BUILD ON THE IMPETUS WHICH THIS ARTICLE HAS GIVEN THIS ISSUE, AND CALL RADIO
TALK SHOWS.

HERE ARE SOME TALKING POINTS, AND IF YOU WANT FURTHER INFORMATION GO TO WWW.FIJA.ORG

TALKING POINTS FOR CALL IN TALK SHOWS ON JURY NULLIFICATION:
When you call in don’t bother with saying, How are you etc. Get to the point by saying something like this:

“It concerns me that we are losing many of our liberties and many people are ignorant of our basic rights. This is particularly true when it comes to Jury Nullification which is a major protector of our liberty. Jury Nullification is the right of a juror to determine not only the guilt or the innocence of a person, but also the duty, the right and the responsibility of a juror to determine whether or not the law which they are accused of breaking is a just and a Constitutional law.

Let me explain: An example is; If a defendant is charged with breaking a law, let’s say he’s charged with carrying a weapon which is his right under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. He might be guilty of breaking the law, but since the law itself is unconstitutional a juror should vote him innocent since the law is a bad law and is  unconstitutional.”

IF THE TALK SHOW HOST DISAGREES, STATE:
WELL THEN YOU DISAGREE WITH Supreme Court Justice John Jay who has stated that “Juries have the right to take upon themselves to judge both the law as well the facts.” Or Thomas Jefferson who said, “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor by which Government can be held to the principles of the Constitution.” and you disagree with the rest of the Founding Fathers. I respectfully suggest that you learn more about this issue.

Bob Rose 6:06 – 9:00 AM – WSKY 97.3FM – 1-877-975-9825
Chip Morris & PC 3:00 – 6:00 PM SAME #
Larry Whittler 1370AM 7 – NOON WOCA 622 9622

I WISH TO THANK THOSE MEMBERS OF SOVEREIGNTY ACTION WHO HAVE BRAVED THE WEATHER AND GIVEN THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS EFFORT TO REGAIN LIBERTY.

From: “Robert Dreyfus”
Date: February 14, 2010 12:12:13 PM MST
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: AN EASY PROJECT TO PROTECT LIBERTY

TO THOSE RECEIVING THIS INFO:
I consider each of you to be an activist.  I hope you will take time  to read the attachment, and if you think it has merit will  distribute it to others throughout the nation.

May God Bless You & Protect the Republic
Robt. Dreyfus

A ONE HOUR/WEEK PROJECT TO PRESERVE LIBERTY

Jury Nullification is a major protector of our liberty.
Unfortunately few people are familiar with this doctrine.

The following flier, news release, letter to editor, talking points and information on how to deal with resistance gives everything you need to make a significant impact for freedom.  Moreover, it only takes one hour/week of your time, very little energy or money to be successful.

Click here to read the full document.

If you have been watching Glenn Beck everyday at 5:00 pm EST, you would hear Glenn telling you that you need to go back and study the TRUE history of our Country.

After Glenn Beck’s behavior today on his radio show, his blatant ambush of Debra Median, I’m seriously thinking that he needs to be taught a lesson. Like maybe a drop in ratings.

Normally, I would just post a video or articles here for you to read because I’m not really any type of journalist or authority of anything. I’m just a Grandmother and was a Stay At Home Mom for most of my life. But I have found that I had a very different education as a child than most of my peers. I attended a private Catholic school that taught us the history of our country, something that our public schools weren’t doing and aren’t doing today.

Our children and grandchildren aren’t being taught the history of our state and federal constitutions. They aren’t being taught Civics that include Jury History and Jury Duty. Instead, their learning about Marilyn Monroe and I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point, Anna Nicole Smith.

The Tenth Amendment Center published and article yesterday that I hope everyone will take time to read.   “The Untold History of Nullification: Resisting Slavery”.

The history lesson is nothing more than a review of what I learned in grade school back in the late 50’s.

This article goes into the history of States Nullification Rights to keep an overpowering Federal Government in check. What was the dispute about?

Civic Illiteracy
In 1798, Jefferson and Madison articulated the concepts of nullification and interposition in the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which were passed in response to to the hated Alien and Sedition Acts. But the ideas which support  nullification and interposition were actually expressed earlier during the ratifying convention of Virginia by the Federalists themselves!

Given the fact, however, that most Americans cannot even correctly name all three branches of our federal government, it’s probably a safe bet that they have never heard of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions or the fact that nullification was used to assist runaway slaves.

The article goes into the story of “The Rescue of Joshua Glover” and how the Wisconsin “Citizen Army” (Citizen Militia) responded to the call to arms, “All freemen who are opposed to being made slaves or slave-catchers turn out to a meeting in the courthouse square at 2 o’clock!”

These are tools that our Founders put into place for us to use because they knew the danger of Governments becoming to powerful and corrupt. Another very important tool is Jury Nullification. Laws get passed everyday that we don’t want, need and violate our Individual Rights. Citizen Juries and Grand Juriesare there to protect you, but if they don’t know this, if they don’t know the power they have, then how can they effectively do their job?

Ever hear a Federal Prosecutor say, “I can indict a Ham Sandwich”. I have.

While we may try to elect the right people to represent us, we still need to know that we are always in control and can Nullify any bad law they may pass.

This is why it’s so important that we start educating those around us, empowering the PEOPLE to take back control of our Community, State, and Country.

FIJA Grafton County – December 2009

If you are inspired to do this in your own town, take a look at the links at the top of the page for the Media Catalog, the Library, and tips on Activism.

Is it true or false that when you sit on a jury, you may vote on the verdict according to your own conscience? “True,” you say, but then why do most judges tell you that you may consider “only the facts” and that you are not to let your conscience, opinion of the law, or the motives of the defendant affect your decision?

In a trial by jury, the judge’s job is to referee the trial and provide neutral legal advice to the jury, beginning with a full and truthful explanation of a juror’s rights and responsibilities.

For Publication and General Distribution -11/20/09

I’m sure many liberty activists out there share the same realization as I do that the federal government, the Federal Reserve, Wall Street, the banks, and the big corporations are all collaborating to centralize, collectivize, and control all aspects of American life and are doing so to the detriment of individual liberty. As was the case leading up to the original American Revolution, this unnatural situation is driving many modern day Americans into poverty by making it impossible for them to make a basic living for themselves and their families, or to even maintain basic sustenance.

As more and more of us become affected by this tyranny, there will be times when an individual has some success resisting it. It then becomes important that he or she share the methods of such resistance so others can duplicate it. That’s the purpose of this communication. I’ve had my liberty and rights assaulted and so far I’ve fought off the attack. Here’s how I’ve done it. Maybe others like you can do the same if your life, liberty or pursuit of happiness is similarly threatened.

When my house in Derry, NH (see picture below) was foreclosed on in March of 2008 I decided to stay and make a fight of it. I’ve been holed up in the house ever since and have refused to give it up to the “government sponsored enterprise” known as “Fannie Mae”. So far they’ve tried three times in court to have me evicted but I’m still in the house holding my ground.

I am aware that there is a diversity of opinion out there about the issue of mortgage foreclosures, even within the freedom community. Some view it as a simple contract matter – if you don’t pay the mortgage you signed – you lose the house. Others like me view it very differently. If the free market system were being allowed to function properly, individual Americans would be able to prosper and flourish in a system based on hard work, individual productivity, creativity and self-sufficiency. Instead, we have a debt driven system dominated by banks, large corporations and big government that attempts to create “wealth” out of nothing. This is the actual true cause of many of the mortgage and loan defaults that are putting so many Americans out onto the street and into financial distress. The government has bailed out the big banks. Now the masters want the people to passively leave their homes with their tails between their legs. And go live where – in a homeless shelter or a tent?

Whatever anyone’s opinion is about the economic crisis, all liberty advocates would surely agree that no one’s property; liberty or life should be taken from him or her without guaranteed due process of law. This principal and right is basic to liberty.

In my pursuit of these rights, the last time I was in court (Derry District Court) regarding my house I insisted on a jury trial, which is a guaranteed right under both the US Constitution and the New Hampshire State constitution. All I want is what the supreme law of our land entitles me to: the opportunity to plead my case to a jury of my peers. I want to be judged by a fully informed jury composed of fellow citizens living under the same socioeconomic conditions as I am. I want the opportunity to convince the jury to send a message to the government and to the banking system – that here in New Hampshire we’re not easily inclined to take away our neighbors’ homes and throw families out onto the street. Instead, New Hampshire’s citizens should have the opportunity to say, “no, enough is enough” to this bunch of greedy criminals who have unconstitutionally taken over the government and have rigged the economic system in their favor to the detriment of ordinary hard-working Americans. Maybe the jury will agree with me and maybe not. But in any case, let the jury decide.

In my case, however, the judge has tried to sidestep both the US and New Hampshire Constitutions and has granted possession of the property to the bank without the required jury trial. Essentially, he has ignored the two constitutions and issued his judgment without granting me the trial by a jury of my peers as is constitutionally guaranteed.

From a civil liberties point of view, remember that the denial of trial by jury was a grievance stated in the Declaration of Independence as well as being a right guaranteed in the Constitution. In colonial times the practice was to allow elitist adjudicators, such as magistrates appointed by the king, to rule over the common people. Inevitably, this situation allowed for abuses by the upper classes to be committed against the common person.

Accordingly, the right to a trial by a jury of one’s peers was intended by the founding fathers to be a necessary check to prevent such abuses of power. It can be argued that the twelve Americans sitting in a jury box are as important to the preservation of American liberty as any American soldier that ever lay dead on a battlefield.

Being denied due process during foreclosures or debt proceedings has become a big issue in many states. People are being denied due process because the courts are overloaded with foreclosures and other loan defaults, a situation that the banks themselves largely created due to their own massive negligence and greed. In my opinion, it’s too bad for the banks if evictions and repossessions are not going fast enough for them because the system is too overloaded. Individuals are entitled to their guaranteed rights of due process at all times, whatever the circumstances.

There is a widely held belief that rather than serving as the guardians of individual liberty that they were intended to be, the courts in America have become rubber stamps for the ruling oligarchy. I’m sure many of you are already aware that other freedom-loving individuals throughout the state are growing increasingly concerned about worsening judicial misconduct and the abuses of power in New Hampshire’s courts. Based on what I’ve seen in my case and cases involving others, the concerns are well justified. There are double standards in favor of corporate litigants with attorneys and against ordinary people who cannot afford attorneys. The courts don’t follow established legal principles or even follow their own rules. For all practical purposes, there is no judicial oversight or accountability. There is a Judicial Conduct Committee but it has been observed to be ineffective as presently organized and operated.

My current situation is that the Derry District Court judge has gone as far as issuing the paperwork necessary to evict me. I should have been out of there a while ago, but as of this date he hasn’t issued the final order. So what is he waiting for? The only thing outstanding would seem to be my written request for a jury trial. Perhaps what’s on his mind is the fact that he’d be breaking the supreme law of the land, the precious US Constitution and its cousin the New Hampshire State Constitution. In effect, we’re eyeball to eyeball and so far it is him that has blinked. I’ve got him boxed into a corner. So as of now, the Gadsden Flag and Navy Jack, each bearing the inscription, “Don’t Tread on Me” are still proudly displayed on the front of my house. The 13-star US flag, which the Continental Army fought under, still flies there too. So far, the two constitutions have held.

The tyrants have been at my door for over a year and a half. But our flag is still there. If the tyrants come after you and try to deny you your liberty or property, do what I did. Hold up the Constitution and demand your right to a jury trial. Don’t let them roll over you. Demand your rights! Let’s plug up the whole system if necessary. Teach the elitists the lesson that it’s not that easy to create a disaster and then profit from it at the expense of average people. Teach them that the people will rise up and use the tools the founders gave them. Teach them that the people will fight back.

Acts of nonviolent resistance have already been taken against the judicial system elsewhere in the state, particularly in Keene. I’d like to get some help down here in Derry, especially if this constitutional violator of a judge actually tries to have me evicted without the due process I’m entitled to in our Constitution. Like Paul Revere, I’d like to set up a network of patriots that will come out for each other if called. My email address is below.

What I’ve done is drawn a constitutional line at my home in Derry. So far it’s holding. If anyone else out there draws a similar line as mine and needs my help to defend it, send out the call and I’ll come running. And if my line becomes threatened and looks in danger of faltering I’ll call out to you.

Our founders fought a bloody revolution and left us with a constitution to use as a tool to nonviolently protect our liberty and freedom. Back then the American Revolution was won because Americans banded together to protect each other’s lives, their neighbors’ homes, their neighbors’ possessions and their neighbors’ rights. Modern Americans need to do the same.

Your compatriot in liberty,

Joe Vignolo – gpsnavaids (at) comcast.net

You can download brochures from our Library or order them from our Media Catalog. These brochures are great ways to help your neighbors learn about their rights and responsibilities when serving as a juror:

• Who Owns Your Body? (pdf)
• Jury Protection for the Second Amendment (pdf)
• Your Jury Rights: True or False? (pdf)
• A Primer for Prospective Jurors (pdf)

You may also want to review our flyer on Distributing FIJA Literature in Front of Courthouses (PDF) and Professor James Duane’s video Don’t Talk to the Police . Your vote as a juror is your most significant and influential vote.

When you serve as a juror, your vote is one of only twelve and is meaningful in protecting another person and yourself as well from government abuse of human rights.

The Civil Jury: The Disregarded Constitutional Actor

November 12, 2007
U of Cincinnati Public Law Research Paper No. 07-30

Abstract:
This lecture “The Civil Jury: The Disregarded Constitutional Actor” argues that the significant division of power between the judiciary and the jury should be recognized alongside the separation of powers between the branches and the federalism division between the federal government and the states. While the jury is a separate constitutional actor with important powers, the judiciary and the legislature have not recognized it as such. This has led to the constitutionalization of modern procedures which take away the jury trial right before, during and after trial, including through remittitur, summary judgment, the motion to dismiss and federal caps. This jurisprudence on the civil jury exhibits an odd alignment under which so-called liberal justices may hold a jury trial right does not exist, whereas other so-called conservative justices may hold such a right exists. This appears to result from the tendency of liberal justices to shun originalism, even in the context of the Seventh Amendment where originalism is constitutionalized in the text. Here, the liberal justices should embrace originalism. Moreover, the lecture argues that all of the Justices should recognize the significant division of power between the judiciary and the jury by eliminating modern procedures which impinge this division of power.

Veteran libertarian civil rights activist Julian Heicklen calls it “an out-and-out kidnapping” when Homeland Security Police forcibly transported him to a hospital where he was injected with Thorazine against his will.

Read the rest of this article by Garry Reed at the Libertarian News Examiner.

If you are planning an event, please post it to the forum as well, so others can join you and support your efforts.

Thank you!

We hope you take a look around and become familiar with our new home.

We have a lot of work to do getting the word out, and we can use a lot of assistance with helping to protect your freedoms through informed jurors. If you have some time to hand out literature, to speak to groups, to write letters, to do interviews, or to help others with these efforts, please contact us! Your support and actions are most welcome!

Have questions? Get in touch your present state contacts, or the FIJA National office. Act for freedom today!

by Graham Dugas

“Without justice, what are kingdoms but great bands of robbers?”  St. Augustine

The jury system is one of the few remaining checks on the system available to those of us who love freedom. We must utilize this tool to the fullest measure if we ever hope to non-violently fight tyranny. Yes, it is a hassle but we needn’t look far to see all the evils visited upon us when this righteous check on tyranny and lunacy is neglected. With freedom comes responsibility. The jury system is the government coming before you asking for permission. In that sense we are not “tainting ourselves by participating in the system” as some would have us believe. Rather it is “The System” coming before us seeking acquiescence and we need not cater to their wishes.

The evil of laziness:

Let’s get a little closer to home. Let’s take a good look at our hearts. We who espouse human responsibility, we who decry envy, we who are educated and refined, have we by our neglect enabled those who would tyrannize us?

OK, so jury duty doesn’t really pay that well, it is grievous and it gives the righteous freedom lover agita to no end. Is that reason to neglect it? When those who work real jobs that require intelligence all seek to get excused from of jury duty so they can go about their normal affairs, the void is filled by those who might typically watch Jerry Springer. or Oprah. (Which is worse?) Who would you want on your jury should the IRS target you? Murray Rothbard or Boobus Americanus? So we who love freedom, must overcome our laziness and endeavor to get seated on the jury because it is we who have studied history, it is we who have studied the precepts of liberty and it is we who have obtained a righteous and non-conformed ideal of justice. If it is not our view of justice that is represented, it will be someone else’s view that gets represented. We should therefore see to it that we persevere through all the odious crap and overcome all the things in they put place to dissuade our participation.

The evil of pride:

Pride, zeal, and even the love of the truth often traps unwise freedom lovers. They know the doctrine of nullification. They know the history of men such as William Penn (after whom Pennsylvania is named). They know Blackstone, they know the Constitution and they can’t wait to let others know they know it too. Herein is their undoing. They get bounced from the jury pool, and maybe marked for life, just because they fail to grasp the true goal of having the magistrate subjected to them. And that is exactly what it is. The power elites still have to come before the common man to obtain 1.) an indictment via a Grand Jury, and 2.) a conviction via a common jury. A righteous soul on a Grand Jury can shield his fellow man from the rigors, expense and capricious risk of a criminal trial. Just one person of conscience on a regular jury can prevent an evil outcome. Sadly, such stand alone faith and fortitude are rare ingredients these days. Let’s change that.

The power of a juror:

A single juror has unlimited and unreviewable power that cannot be reversed. if he is wise. Just one juror can hang the jury and prevent a conviction. And his reasons need not be explained, nor must he even let them be fully known to a single soul. He can just vote to acquit and say nothing else. He can keep his reasons entirely private should he so desire. The juror is a judge of the facts (he didn’t pay his taxes, he had a gun, he protested outside the designated “free speech zone”) and he is also a judge of the laws forbidding such actions. Mid-nineteenth-century jurors often refused to convict those who were charged with violating the Fugitive Slave Act. If just a few jurors refused to convict in tax cases the whole phoney mess could be defanged. This power is so great that way we don’t need 51%, we only need one out of twelve and they are powerless to overcome us.

(An important side note: The juror also has the right to ask questions during the trial but it is best to refrain exercising in our times lest he get bounced from the jury by an arbitrary evil “Judge” for “misconduct.”)

The goal:

Very simply the goal is to get seated. Suppose they pass a law that absolutely forbids the possession of any type of a gun whatsoever. Suppose all the courts and judges are all stacked and beholden to evil. (Is this a big supposition?) Suppose Joe Patriot was found with a gun. Suppose the penalty was death. Suppose you were on the jury and the defendant openly admitted that he had the gun and the facts are beyond dispute. The “Judge” instructs the jury as to what the “current law” is and tells you to apply it to the facts.

Now off you go with eleven Oprah/Jerry Springer drones to the deliberation room. The jury foreman goes through the facts, the law and then you all vote either to acquit or to convict. You are the lone hope for a righteous outcome, the lone hope for justice to prevail. Here is the point of conscience. Here is the point of real power. You can simply vote to acquit and give your fellow jurors no reason at all. Or you could tell them anything they want to hear. Tell them you think Joe Patriot was framed. Tell them you think he was pressured or hypnotized into confessing. Tell them you think he is being drugged by CIA mind control drugs. Whatever you do, don’t wave your nullification flag. You may get tossed from the jury because the judge arbitrarily accuses you of misconduct or of being “tainted.” The best bet is to act dumb, and with a glassy eyed stare, say you just have doubts. You may be the lone hope to protect Joe Patriot from life in the gulag.

Getting seated and staying seated is the goal. You are then above the judge, the prosecutor, and even the written law. They have to come before you to get a conviction. You can vote however you wish and you need not account to anyone for it but God. You don’t have to explain yourself, the history of the Second Amendment, the Sixteenth Amendment, the Magna Carta, English Common Law, Natural Law, William Blackstone, Samuel Rutherford, or anything. In fact it is better if you don’t. You want to remain under cover so you can get seated again in the future. This is very important. Why would you want to surrender such power?

A general premise:

In times of declension such as ours, “Judges” have no honor nor is any due them. Please strongly consider using any available means including misdirection, shaded statements, etc. as an effort to get on the jury. Hide from them the fact that you have ever read the Constitution. Say you read it in school and leave it at that. Make statements about how you trust the system, trust the police etc. If you are specifically asked about nullification, or fully informed juries, tell them you would listen to what the “Judge” had to say about it and let them believe what they want. Act like the typical conformed publicly schooled Ritalin consuming drone and make no waves. Tell the “Judge” or Prosecutor what they want to hear in order to get seated. Tell them you love Jerry Springer and Oprah. Keep mum, you don’t need to show off any knowledge or instruct the evil judge in the plain meaning of the English language. He has spent a fortune and devoted many years in an effort to become as stupid as he is. He is a sad creature that is now fully conformed and impervious to logic.

The facts are that the government still must come before the people (juries) in order to convict. You have unreviewable power once you cast your vote as a juror. Resist the temptation to give the judge a civics lesson. Don’t wrangle with evil men. Assume that such a judge, by virtue of his holding that office, is likely an evil man. He has toted too much political water to get there. If he were an exception to this assumption, if he was a just man, he would stand out and you would know it. He would also not make such an effort to screen righteous people and independent thinking from the jury. So, presuming him to be evil, do what you must to get past him without being exposed.

Truth telling, conscience and cunning:

Now as to “lying”… and honor… The knock comes on the door…. “Are there any Jews here” is the question. What is unstated is “Are there any Jews here that we can take and kill.” So you may freely reply in the same vein: “No there are no Jews here” and also leave unstated “that you can take and kill” even as they left it unstated.

Words have a spirit behind them. We talk about the essence of something written, the intention, the gist of something, and the “spirit of the law.” When you say: “No, there are not any Jews here (that you can take and kill),” you are the only one in the exchange that is telling the truth.

The Hebrew midwives of Moses, Rahab hiding the spies from the inquisitors in Jericho, the Magi misdirecting Herod about Christ’s whereabouts and others were lauded for what they did.

During jury examination, what the judge is asking you is this… “Will you be my puppet and apply the laws as I see them regardless of the plain meaning of the Constitution (or higher Natural Law)?” “Will you become my vassal?” What he is saying is: “Will you join me in applying the law?” and he leaves unstated “Will you join me in applying the law unjustly?” You can, with a free conscience reply, “Yes I will join you in applying the law” and leave out the adverb “unjustly” even as he left it out.

I have often wondered how someone’s conscience could be bothered if they told a policeman or a judge a “half truth” but they are not bothered by voting to convict their fellow man of some evil law and subjecting him to draconian punishment for it. If I am going to err, let it be on the side of my fellow man.

Conclusion:

Jury trials are one of the non-violent ways our republic still affords us to resist evil. Use it to the full. We may get a proud feeling as we are giving the judge a righteous civics lesson but that is not the goal. The goal is to get to a place (the jury) where you are the “decider.”

Many Christians and people of conscience are easily bamboozled by cunning evil men who want to smoke them out and deprive them of the opportunity to further righteousness/justice. Stay undercover. Be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove. Aim to get seated, and to remain unmarked so you can get seated again. Avoid the traps of laziness, of pride, and of being an unsophisticated simpleton who gets smoked out. The juror is above the lawmaker, above the prosecutor, and above the judge. Who would not seek to embrace such a position of reforming power?

March 14, 2009

Graham Dugas [send him mail] 49 yrs. old and works as a kitchen designer in the Hilton Head, SC area. He has participated in non-violent civil disobedience, he has been to their jails, he has experienced their crooked courts and he has never trusted a gov’t official of either political party since. He has successfully defended himself in court and in 1996 he single handedly defeated a court injunction that the US Supreme Court previously upheld.

Copyright © 2009 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.

Friday marks the 338th anniversary of when jurors refused to convict William Penn of violating England’s Conventicle Acts, despite clear evidence that he acted illegally by preaching a Quaker sermon. In refusing to convict Penn, the jurors ignored what they knew to be an unjust law. This is known as jury nullification.

By refusing to enforce what they knew was an unjust law, the Penn jurors served justice, and provided a basis for our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, religion, and peaceable assembly. For refusing to find Penn guilty, the judge sent four of Penn’s jurors to prison. Their exoneration fixed forever the English and American doctrine that jurors have the responsibility to decide both matters of law and fact in any case before them. Individual jurors are the last line of defense for people who are prosecuted under bad laws by overzealous prosecutors and court officials.

The Founders intended that jurors would use their rights and responsibilities to judge the law and the facts in every trial, and do justice. The Sixth and Seventh Amendments were included in the Bill of Rights to guarantee that every person brought to trial has Juror Protection.

Juror nullification is integral to our judicial system. It is one of the “checks and balances” of justice required by a free society. An individual juror has the authority to stop an unjust prosecution by refusing to convict. No reason for the verdict is required. Most Grand and Petit Jurors do not know about their authority. Knowledge of this authority must be restored to protect us.

Our Founders embraced juror nullification as necessary to a free society. Nullification is the test that all laws must pass. Juror nullification has been used by jurors throughout our history to “nullify” unpopular and unjust laws, including laws against witches, publishing the truth, free speech, religion, hiding slaves, and Prohibition.

The Fully Informed Jury Association (www.fija.org) is dedicated to educating all Americans about the authority of the Juror. FIJA publishes and distributes educational material but depends upon grassroots activists to inform jurors of their rights and to undertake state-level lobbying or ballot-issue efforts. A proclamation for Jury Rights Day was signed today by Governor Sarah Palin, candidate for Vice President of the United States.

FIJA Activist Frank Turney with Governor Sarah Palin (PDF)

Jury Rights Day September 5, 2008

This Friday, September 5, 2008, marks the 338th anniversary of the day when jurors refused to convict William Penn of violating England’s Conventicle Acts, despite clear evidence that he acted illegally by preaching a Quaker sermon. In refusing to convict Penn, the jurors refused to enforce what they knew to be an unjust law. This is known as jury nullification.

By refusing to enforce what they knew was an unjust law, the Penn jurors not only served justice, but provided a basis for our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, religion, and peaceable assembly. For their refusal to obey the judge’s instruction to find Penn guilty, the judge sent four of Penn’s jurors to prison for nine weeks. Their later release and exoneration established forever the English and American doctrine that it is the right and responsibility of all jurors to decide matters of law and fact in any case before them.

Jurors stand as the last line of defense for people being prosecuted under unjust laws by overzealous government prosecutors and court officials.

The founders of this nation intended that jurors in all cases would know of their rights and responsibilities to judge the law, its application, and the facts in each case, to ensure that justice is served. The Sixth and Seventh Amendments are included in the Bill of Rights to guarantee that every person brought to trial has the benefit of the protection of a jury.

It was understood by the founders that all matters brought to the courts were to be considered by a jury of independent, free individuals, who were not beholden to the courts or government, and who would freely render a verdict based on justice, even if in direct opposition to the courts and the law.

Jury nullification is an integral part of our judicial system, serving as one of the “checks and balances” required by a free society. An individual juror has the power to stop an unjust prosecution by refusing to convict. This fact is unknown to most jurors today, and has contributed greatly to the decline of the authority of the jury in our court system.

Our Founding Fathers accepted the common law principle of jury nullification as an important safeguard for a free society: a test that all laws must pass. Jury nullification has been used by jurors throughout our history to “nullify” unpopular and unjust laws, from laws against free speech to slavery to Prohibition.

The Fully Informed Jury Association (www.fija.org) is a non-profit association dedicated to educating all Americans about their rights, powers, and responsibilities as trial jurors.

FIJA publishes and distributes educational material but depends upon grassroots activists to inform jurors of their rights and to undertake state-level lobbying or ballot-issue efforts.

Governors across the nation have signed Jury Rights Day Proclamations recognizing this right and authority of the juror to render a verdict based on conscience and in the service of justice. This year, Proclamations have come from Connecticut, the State of Washington, and from Alaska’s Governor, Sarah Palin, who is now a Vice-Presidential candidate.

This September 5, private groups across the nation will hand out educational literature, provide interviews, give talks to civic groups, and send letters to their local newspapers to encourage people to learn more about the rights and responsibilities of jury service, as well as to encourage those on trial to demand their right to a trial by jury.

For additional information on juror rights, call the Fully Informed Jury Association’s toll-free line at 1-800-TEL-JURY, or visit their website at www.fija.org. To help spread the word, you can contact your local or state FIJA worker through the list of State Contacts on the website.

The Fully Informed Jury Association is a not-for-profit research and educational group dedicated to informing all Americans of their right and duty to judge both the law and the facts, and to render a verdict based on their conscience and their own best sense of justice, even if contrary to the directions of the court.

Contact:
Iloilo Marguerite Jones
Executive Director

http://www.fija.org

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On September 5 of this year, FIJA activists across the nation will once again celebrate the right of jurors to render a verdict based on conscience by handing out literature, writing letters to the editor, appearing on interviews, and speaking to groups. For more information, go to www.fija.org.

September 5th marks the 338th anniversary of the trial of William Penn – a trial that laid the foundation of our First Amendment Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of Peaceable Public Assembly. Many Governors have signed Proclamations in recognition of Jury Rights Day.

In 1670, Quaker William Penn of London was arrested, pled not guilty, and subsequently argued against England’s Conventicle Acts, which forbade the practice of religions other than the Church of England. The Judge instructed the Jurors to find Penn guilty. The Jurors’ refusal to enforce a bad law led to the Court jailing and withholding food and water from the Jurors.

On appeal, the right of Jurors to base their verdict on their best judgment and conscience, despite existing law and court instruction, was affirmed, and cemented the seldom-used but important right of  Jury Nullification of Bad Law  in all our legal systems – the ultimate right of the people to control their government.

These underlying common law concepts firmly establish the fact that Jurors cannot be punished for their verdict. As well, jurors are not required to give a reason for the verdict they render. The fundamental right of Jurors to render their verdict based on conscience is basic to the preservation of Justice, and to our Lawful Society.

Remember:
- Jurors cannot be punished for their verdict.
- Jurors cannot be required to give a reason for their verdict.
- Jurors have both the authority and the human duty to render a verdict based on their individual sense of justice and their conscience.

Receive a free information packet by calling 1-800-TEL-JURY. Visit www.fija.org.

For Immediate release
21 August, 2008
324 words
Contact:
FIJA www.fija.org
1-406-442-7800 aji@fija.org
Iloilo Marguerite Jones, Executive Director

“Alright… the digital version of Republic is in … this time we went after the experts to get some real solutions to the problems we are facing in America today… and it’s our biggest issue yet and at the right page count to get on the news stands all across the country. However, we’re not on news stands yet but that is the goal.

So, before you browse it at your local convenience store and get yelled at for not buying it, you can immediately iew/download the digital edition by clicking on the link below:

http://www.restoretherepublic.com/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,140/Itemid,107/

Juries have the power to nullify laws that they feel are unconstitutional. Never shirk your responsiblity if you are asked to be on a jury.

“Jury Nullification” is the power of the Jury to overturn bad laws (of which, we have MANY) It is an important tool guaranteed to citizens serving on jury duty Jury nullification enables us to declare laws unjust, if we are so inclined.
Learn more by watching this clip from 1990:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA4GKG__B-s

Part 2: VERY IMPORTANT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRdse8zBzyI

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbw8rF_hA9I

Most Judges do not want you to know about this power Juries are only told they can rule “guilty” or “not guilty” They are never told of their third option, “the law is bad”.

Shame on bad Judges covering up this power and the corrupt system which allow these arrogant Judges to remain on the bench.

Learn your rights and DO NOT try to get out of jury duty!

As citizens we only have two real powers to keep the Gov’t in check:
1) The power to vote
2) The power of the jury

Your rights: Use them or loose them With rumors of the American Bar Association working to eliminate juries in the future And with the PROVEN vulnerability of the electronic voting machines, what voice will we have left?