An Essay On The Trial By Jury

Lysander Spooner, an influential 18th-century libertarian and abolitionist, presents a compelling argument for "Jury Nullification" in his essay. He asserts that juries should have the power to evaluate both the facts of a case and the legitimacy of the law itself, enabling them to refuse convictions based on perceived injustices in the law. This revolutionary idea challenges the conventional role of juries and advocates for individual rights and freedoms in a just society. Spooner's diverse background as an entrepreneur and political philosopher enriches his perspective on legal theory.