jury nullification

noun

: the acquitting of a defendant by a jury in disregard of the judge's instructions and contrary to the jury's findings of fact

Examples of jury nullification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Widespread support for Mangione – based on his appearance and coupled with a disdain for corporate executives – is a dangerous precedent to set given its ramifications on jury nullification. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Yet David Kwok, director of the Criminal Justice Institute at the University of Houston Law Center, called jury nullification an important concept in justice. —Jim Vertuno, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2024

Why is jury nullification an appropriate remedy to criminal charges for protesting? —Chester Eduardo Fernández, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2024

The prosecution agreed to the plea deal over concerns of jury nullification, because the boy was about two months away from turning 16 when the incident occurred, according to the Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 May 2024

Which sounds like an argument for jury nullification. —Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023

Shortly after his closing argument began, Brooks referenced jury nullification, which Opper objected to and Dorow struck from the record. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 25 Oct. 2022

Joey Jackson, a defense lawyer and CNN legal analyst, raised the possibility of jury nullification. —Ray Sanchez, CNN, 23 Dec. 2021

Thanks to a bit of jury nullification and some sharp legal work Hovind got off entirely, while Hansen was sentenced to eighteen months. —Peter J Reilly, Forbes, 5 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

jury nullification

noun

: the acquitting of a defendant by a jury in disregard of the judge's instructions and contrary to the jury's findings of fact

Note: Jury nullification is most likely to occur when a jury is sympathetic toward a defendant or regards the law under which the defendant is charged with disfavor. Except for a statutory requirement to the contrary, a jury does not have to be instructed on the possibility of jury nullification.