Jury Nullification Occurs When a Jury Acquits the Defendant or Convicts

question 35

Essay

Jury nullification occurs when a jury acquits the defendant or convicts the defendant of a lesser offense despite the evidence presented;in essence,the evidence and the verdict point in opposite directions.The Court held in United States v.Powell (469 U.S.57 [1984])that juries have the power to engage in jury nullification.Do you agree? Why or why not?

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Definitions:

Spinal Cord

A long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem down to the lumbar region of the vertebral column.

Prefrontal Cortex

The front part of the frontal lobes of the brain, involved in complex behaviors such as decision making, planning, and moderating social behavior.

Delayed-response Task

A test of memory and cognitive function requiring an individual to remember a stimulus or information over a period of time before responding.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical substances in the body that transmit signals from one neuron to another across synapses.