​Jury Quotes

“The pages of history shine on instances of the jury’s exercise of its prerogative to disregard instructions of the judges...” U. S. v. Dougherty, 473 F 2nd 1113, 1139 (1972)

“The law itself is on trial quite as much as the cause which is to be decided.” Harlan F. Stone, 12th Chief Justice, U. S. Supreme Court, 1941.

“The jury has the power to bring a verdict in the teeth of both law and fact.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, U. S. Supreme Court Justice, 1902.

“The jury has the right to determine both the law and the facts.” Samuel Chase, U. S. Supreme Court Justice, 1796; Signer of the unanimous Declaration.

“The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy.” John Jay, 1st Chief Justice, U. S. Supreme Court, 1789.

Patrick Henry, along with others, was deeply concerned as to who has a right to sit on a JURY. Listen to our forefather's wisdom on the subject of "PEERS."
"By the bill of rights of England, a subject has a right to a trial by his peers. What is meant by his peers? Those who reside near him, his neighbors, and who are well acquainted with his character and situation in life." Patrick Henry, (Elliot, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, 3:579).

​Patrick Henry also knew that originally the JURY of PEERS was designed as a protection for Neighbors from outside governmental oppression. Henry states the following, "Why do we love this trial by jury? Because it prevents the hand of oppression from cutting you off ... This gives me comfort - that, as long as I have existence, my neighbors will protect me." (Elliot, 3:545, 546).