FIJA Calendar FIJA | 16 Apr 2012
Kirsten Tynan, of the Fully Informed Jury Association, will discuss jurors’ rights and jury nullification, the power by which everyday Americans can protect themselves as well as defendants against unjust prosecutions and corrupt laws. The presentation will be followed by an question and answer period. This event is open to the public. Date and Time: [...]
Function of Juries &Jurors Doing Justice FIJA | 04 Apr 2012
We recently brought you news of a case in Iowa in which a jury nullified a local rule, deciding in favor of the defendant on the basis that he was exercising his First Amendment rights. The jury ruled that the defendant’s exercise of his freedom of speech on public property took precedence over a locally [...]
FIJActivist &Volunteer FIJA | 16 Mar 2012
Never mind that I drove home the other day through a blizzard. Last Saturday the weather here in Montana was GORGEOUS! That means that many of you activists are gearing up for outreach efforts outdoors now that warmer weather is arriving. To help you kick off your activities, we are offering a Spring Activist Special [...]
Function of Juries &Jury Nullification FIJA | 14 Mar 2012
In a recent article, Peter Kennedy discusses the full legal power of the jury, specifically with respect to the prosecution of Wisconsin raw milk dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger: The Hershberger Trial and Jury Nullification Sometime later this year Loganville, Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger will be tried before a jury in Sauk County Circuit Court [...]
Function of Juries &Jurors Doing Justice FIJA | 11 Mar 2012
Another jury—this time in Polk County, Iowa—has nullified a state-imposed curfew that conflicted with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. In a strange twist, the prosecutor reportedly asked the jury to nullify the First Amendment in favor of the local restriction, but the jury chose to uphold the higher law. Jury Reaches Verdict [...]
Freedom Friday &Jury Nullification FIJA | 09 Mar 2012
This week’s Freedom Friday video features Ed “NJWeedman” Forchion who openly uses and advocates for the legalization of marijuana. In 2010, he was stopped in New Jersey and charged for possession of marijuana. Forchion will be driving cross-country from California to New Jersey in the weeks leading up to his trial. He plans to make [...]
FIJA is recruiting activists, state contacts, and speakers for the state of Utah. If you are interested in learning more about serving in either or both of these volunteer positions, please e-mail our outreach coordinator at kirsten(AT)fija(DOT)org. We have been asked to provide an outreach table and possibly a speaker for an event in Salt [...]
Function of Juries &Jurors Doing Justice FIJA | 22 Feb 2012
As Occupy protesters have exercised their First Amendment rights across the country, hundreds of arrests have been made by police and numerous charges against them have been filed by government attorneys at taxpayer expense. Many of these cases are settled by protesters giving up their right to a jury trial and simply pleading guilty and [...]
FIJA in the News &FIJActivist &Jury Nullification FIJA | 20 Jan 2012
Here’s a photo of the FIJA billboard we mentioned a couple of days ago:
Function of Juries &Jury Nullification FIJA | 20 Jan 2012
One may well ask: “How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?” The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, [...]
Jury Nullification FIJA | 18 Jan 2012
Note: This is posted for informational purposes only. FIJA does not endorse any candidate or piece of legislation. Senate to Take Up Jury Nullification Legislation The Senate will consider a bill today that would let defense attorneys tell jurors they can acquit a defendant even if there is sufficient evidence proving his guilt. Yesterday, a [...]
FIJA in the News &FIJActivist &Jury Nullification FIJA | 17 Jan 2012
Cop Block & Fully Informed Jury Association Billboards Going Up in Richmond! On January 18th, 2012, two billboards with ads promoting police accountability and Jury Nullification will be displayed in the Richmond area. The initiative is being headed by Nathan Cox, an Army Veteran and activist for the cause of Liberty, during the week of [...]
Function of Juries &Jury Nullification FIJA | 21 Dec 2011
Professor of law and former federal prosecutor Paul Butler trusts jurors over power-grabbing prosecutors. Jurors Need to Know That They Can Say No How one feels about jury nullification ultimately depends on how much confidence one has in the jury system. Based on my experience, I trust jurors a lot. I first became interested in [...]
FIJA in the News &Function of Juries FIJA | 29 Nov 2011
Oral arguments are scheduled for next month in a malicious prosecution of an activist distributing juror outreach brochures in New York. In a brief filed with the court, the prosecution reveals its ignorance of the function of the jury. Prosecution Explains Jury Tampering Charge “His speech is not protected by the First Amendment,” prosecutors wrote. [...]
FIJA in the News FIJA | 17 Nov 2011
Big thank you to Neal Weeks whose letter to the editor was published in today’s Naples Daily News in Naples, FL, complete with a link to FIJA’s website so readers can easily find more information! Letter: Are jurors aware of this power?, by Neal Weeks After years of dissatisfaction of our court system and wondering [...]