On the record
In such cases, the principle of Magna Carta unquestionably is, that the uniform judgments of successivejuries shall prevail over the opinion of the court.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “In such cases, the principle of Magna Carta unquestionably is, that the uniform judgments of successivejuries shall…”
Editor's note · Context
This quote emphasizes the principle that jury judgments should take precedence over court opinions.
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The answer is, that they are as reliable for that purpose as are the majority; they are as much presumed to have associated, and are as likely to have associated, for that object, as are the majority; and they have as much interest in such…
It was simply, that they would neither convict the innocent, nor acquit the guilty.
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.
One answer is, that this power, which juries have of judging of the law, is not a power of absolute decision in all cases.