What is Jury Nullification?
Let us start with good old Wikipedia as always double check resources listed there but some really great information and starting points for your own research.
Jury nullification in the United States has its origins in colonial British America. Similar to British law, in the United States jury nullification occurs when a jury in a criminal case reaches a verdict contrary to the weight of evidence, sometimes because of a disagreement with the relevant law.[1] The American jury draws its power of nullification from its right to render a general verdict in criminal trials, the inability of criminal courts to direct a verdict no matter how strong the evidence, the Fifth Amendment’s Double Jeopardy Clause, which prohibits the appeal of an acquittal,[2] and the fact that jurors can never be punished for the verdict they return.[3]
SEE LINK FOR MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JURY NULLIFICATION wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification_in_the_United_States
THIS DOCUMENT TRIED TO MAKE JURY NULLIFICATION A SECRET BUT JURORS CAN NOT BE COMPELLED TO VOTE GUILTY WHEN A LAW IS UNJUST: CANNABIS USE IS A GOD GIVEN HUMAN RIGHT AND SHOULD NOT BE A CRIME:
The right for the jury to decide against the law in cases that they decide unjust prosecution would result in following it is upheld but makes it to where the jury will not be informed of this right. Learn your rights and use them.
United States Supreme Court
SPARF v. U S, (1895)
No. 613
Argued: Decided: January 21, 1895
EXCERPT FROM THE HISTORICAL COURT DOCUMENT
“The question of the right of the jury to decide the law in criminal cases has been the subject of earnest and repeated controversy in England and America, and eminent jurists have differed in their conclusions upon the question. In this country, the opposing views have been fully and strongly set forth by Chancellor Kent in favor of the right of the jury, and by Chief Justice Lewis against it, in People v. Croswell, 3 Johns. Cas. 337; by Judge Hall in favor of the right, and by Judge Bennett against it, in State v. Croteau, 23 Vt. 14; and by Chief Justice Shaw against the right, and by Mr. Justice Thomas in its favor, in Com. v. Anthes, 5 Gray, 185.
The question of the right of the jury under the constitution of the United States cannot be usefully or satisfactorily discussed without examining and stating the authorities which bear upon the scope and effect of the provisions of the constitution regarding this subject. In pursuing this inquiry, it will be convenient to consider, first, the English authorities; secondly, the authorities in the several colonies and states of America; and lastly, the authorities under the national government of the United States.
By Magna Charta, no person could be taken or imprisoned or deprived of his freehold or of his liberties or free customs, unless by the lawful judgment of his peers, or the law of the [156 U.S. 51, 115] land,-'nisi per legale judicium parium suorum, vel per legem terrae.' Accordingly, by the law of England, at the time of the discovery and settlement of this country by Englishmen, every subject (not a member of the house of lords) indicted for treason, murder, or other felony had the right to plead the general issue of not guilty, and thereupon to be tried by a jury; and, if they acquitted him the verdict of acquittal was conclusive, in his favor, of both the law and the fact involved in the issue. The jury, in any case, criminal or civil, might indeed, by finding a special verdict reciting the facts, refer a pure question of law to the court; but they were not bound and could not be compelled to do so, even in a civil action. “
Read full text at http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/156/51.html