Political Quotes

Lysander Spooner: If the judiciary can authoritatively dictate to a jury any exposition of the law, they can dictate to them the law…

On the record
If the judiciary can authoritatively dictate to a jury any exposition of the law, they can dictate to them the law itself, and such laws as they please; because laws are, in practice, one thing or another, according as they are expounded.
Said by
Lysander Spooner

Editor's note · Context

He warns that if the judiciary can dictate legal interpretations, it undermines the jury's independence.

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It would also be making them consent to what they regard as the destruction of their own rights.

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Juries would refuse to enforce a tax against a man who had never agreed to pay it.

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