Jury Power: The Undisputed Right to Acquit Against Law and Evidence

A recent video from 'Constitution Academy' sheds light on a fundamental aspect of common law: the jury's power to acquit. The speaker explains that juries possess the undisputed power to acquit a defendant, even if their verdict goes against the judge's instructions on the law or the evidence presented in court. Referencing a 1969 case, the video asserts that this principle is not an relic of the past but a current legal reality. The speaker highlights the crucial role of the jury as a safeguard against the arbitrary exercise of power by the state and against potentially overzealous or mistaken prosecutors. By allowing the common sense judgment of the community to serve as a 'hedge,' the jury system aims to prevent miscarriages of justice, even when professional legal interpretations might lead to a different outcome.