2020 -- H 7894 | |
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LC004491 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - TRIAL | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Place, Filippi, Lyle, Chippendale, and Knight | |
Date Introduced: February 26, 2020 | |
Referred To: House Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 12-17 of the General Laws entitled "Trial" is hereby amended by |
2 | adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 12-17-20. Jury nullification as proper argument. |
4 | During any trial on any criminal matter before a jury, counsel for the defendant shall have |
5 | the right to argue that the jury should take into consideration not just the law, but the facts, the |
6 | nature of the charge, and whether the law the defendant is charged with violating is morally |
7 | repugnant, outdated or unfair to the citizenry and those accused of violating the law. |
8 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC004491 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - TRIAL | |
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1 | This act would allow counsel in a criminal trial to argue jury nullification as a defense. |
2 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC004491 | |
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