Lysander Spooner: “If they (the jury) are not presumed to know the law, neither the…”

On the record

If they (the jury) are not presumed to know the law, neither the accused nor the people at large can be presumed to know it.

Said by

Lysander Spooner

Source

Spooner argues that if juries are not presumed to know the law, then neither can the accused or the general populace.

More from Lysander Spooner

Since Magna Carta, we have evidence showing quite conclusively that all freemen, above the age of twenty-one years, were eligible as jurors.

Proud from victory, and with their swords in their hands, would they surrender their liberties to a private man?

All other laws, it is optional with each man to obey, or not, as he may choose.

Why should they not have such an administration of justice as they desire, and can understand?

Lysander Spooner: “If they (the jury) are not presumed to know the law, neither the accused nor the people at large can be presumed to know…”