Lysander Spooner: “This statute, therefore, admits that the law, as well as the fact, was…”

On the record

This statute, therefore, admits that the law, as well as the fact, was in the hands of the jury.

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Lysander Spooner

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Spooner emphasizes the jury's role in determining both law and fact in legal proceedings.

More from Lysander Spooner

They were even allowed to grant pardon to criminals, and to correct by their clemency the rigors of justice.

One answer is, that this power, which juries have of judging of the law, is not a power of absolute decision in all cases.

There is no more absurdity in giving a jury a veto upon the laws, than there is in giving a veto to each of these other tribunals.

It would be a solecism and absurdity in government to allow such consequences as these.

Lysander Spooner: “This statute, therefore, admits that the law, as well as the fact, was in the hands of the jury.”