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A lot of your comments seem to be in the realm of "it doesn't matter what the law is, judges and juries will do what they want", which I partly agree with, but

A lot of your comments seem to be in the realm of "it doesn't matter what the law is, judges and juries will do what they want", which I partly agree with, but within the context of this debate we should assume that judges and juries will uphold the law. Otherwise, why are we debating the pros and cons of the law if nobody is going to uphold it?

ThunderSizzle 4y ago
Because reality is that laws are not enforced regularly, equally, and uniformly.
- Buttons840 4y ago
  But it's out of context. If you and I are arguing the pros and cons of 2 possible laws, and I counter your arguments with "juries will do whatever they want", and you counter my arguments with "juries will do whatever they want", we both have this free counter-argument that we can use without any thought at any time. That's not an argument anyone can win, so why are we here? Although, fair enough, maybe we should both take a step back and stop arguing because it really doesn't matter?
  - trimethylpurine 4y ago
    It's not about what juries want. Do you get a royal flush on every hand of poker? Why would you expect that in any given court room in America you'd land a case where the judge is stupid, and the prosecutor is stupid, and juror number one is stupid, and etc. It's unlikely. If you're really the smartest guy in the room, you're not going to be arguing semantics in there. And if you try, you'll quickly become the most unlikeable guy in the room. Which is a lot worse for you.
Cederfjard 4y ago
I read it more as ”you obviously understand the spirit of the law, and so will judges and jury members, even if the letter of it can be twisted if you argue in bad faith”. Not that the law would be intentionally ignored in favor of anyone’s personal agenda. A lot of people seem to love to try to poke hole in laws through nitpicking and technicalities in the written word, whereas in reality rulings are made by humans who are still allowed a modicum of common sense and discretion. NB, I haven’t read the law and I wouldn’t be qualified to comment anyway, this is my interpretation of the comment you responded to.

ThunderSizzle 4y ago

Because reality is that laws are not enforced regularly, equally, and uniformly.

Buttons840 4y ago
But it's out of context. If you and I are arguing the pros and cons of 2 possible laws, and I counter your arguments with "juries will do whatever they want", and you counter my arguments with "juries will do whatever they want", we both have this free counter-argument that we can use without any thought at any time. That's not an argument anyone can win, so why are we here? Although, fair enough, maybe we should both take a step back and stop arguing because it really doesn't matter?
- trimethylpurine 4y ago
  It's not about what juries want. Do you get a royal flush on every hand of poker? Why would you expect that in any given court room in America you'd land a case where the judge is stupid, and the prosecutor is stupid, and juror number one is stupid, and etc. It's unlikely. If you're really the smartest guy in the room, you're not going to be arguing semantics in there. And if you try, you'll quickly become the most unlikeable guy in the room. Which is a lot worse for you.

Cederfjard 4y ago

I read it more as ”you obviously understand the spirit of the law, and so will judges and jury members, even if the letter of it can be twisted if you argue in bad faith”. Not that the law would be intentionally ignored in favor of anyone’s personal agenda. A lot of people seem to love to try to poke hole in laws through nitpicking and technicalities in the written word, whereas in reality rulings are made by humans who are still allowed a modicum of common sense and discretion. NB, I haven’t read the law and I wouldn’t be qualified to comment anyway, this is my interpretation of the comment you responded to.