nullification

In the criminal justice system, jurors are entitled to acquit defendants by deliberately rejecting evidence or refusing to apply the law, often by substituting their own sense of fairness—a concept known as jury nullification.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

While upholding Carter’s nullification of the other leases, including the Brentwood School’s use of 22 acres for athletic facilities, the panel said the judge went too far in prohibiting the VA from renegotiating those leases.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

But grand jury nullification, while permitted, is almost unheard of.

From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2025

“I see a very real risk of jury nullification in the case. I haven't seen something like this since OJ, where there is so much sympathy for the accused.”

From Salon ● Jan. 1, 2025

Fortunately for Jefferson, the leadership of the Kentucky legislature decided to delete the sections of his draft endorsing nullification, presumably because such open defiance of federal law seemed excessive and unnecessarily risky.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis