4 ms·
To play devils advocate, if unanimity is required for guilt why doesn’t lack of unanimity mean innocence?
by muststopmyths 4y ago
To play devils advocate, if unanimity is required for guilt why doesn’t lack of unanimity mean innocence?
- md_ 4y agoSure, maybe. I guess you can argue two things: 1. That outcomes should be binary, i.e. "guilty" or "innocent" with no mistrials. 2. That outcomes should be decided by unanimous, supermajority, majority, or some other arrangements. I don't think either of those arguments are especially fundamental. My point was only that it's a bit hyperbolic to view the whole hung jury rule as some sort of Bill of Rights violation.
- jjoonathan 4y agoThe high bar for acquittal is what makes the hung jury rule look like a Double Jeopardy problem.
- xhkkffbf 4y agoIt gives too much power to one person. It only takes one hold out to hang a jury.