So what happens when a jury hears the evidence in a trial and makes a unanimous opinion to issue a verdict that may be bold and unpopular?  Shouldn’t they be commended for taking a stand for what they felt was right?

Well that wasn’t the case recently in Tarrant County, Texas.

In a DWI trial there, visiting judge Jerry Ray scolded the jury for reaching a not guilty verdict in a DWI case.  Here is the transcript of what he said:

This is absolutely absurd.  If anyone in that courtroom did a disservice to their oath it was perhaps the judge for criticizing the jury in this manner.  A jury has the full right to “ignore” the Intoxilyzer reading if it has doubts about it.  The judge should know better than that.

Credit to Liberally Lean for breaking the story and Grits for Breakfast for reporting on it as well.

Justin McShane

PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.