Jury nullification

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/jury-nullification

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is jury nullification?It is when a jury says "not guilty" even if they think the person broke the law, because they believe the law is unfair.
2. Why do juries sometimes use jury nullification?They may think the law is unjust, the punishment is too harsh, or the case is unfair.

Jury Equity: The concept that a jury can temper the law with fairness and conscience, sometimes leading to nullification.
Perverse Verdict: A verdict given by a jury that is contrary to the evidence or the law presented.
Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV): A judge's decision to overturn a jury's verdict in a civil case if it is not supported by the evidence.