Cato Institute Launches Campaign to Educate Jurors on Conscience Rights Amid Vanishing Trials
The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, has launched a new jury-education campaign called 'Your Verdict Counts.' This initiative aims to inform jurors about their rights, which the institute argues are rarely communicated in courtrooms. Specifically, the campaign highlights three key rights for jurors: the ability to decide if a law is unjust or unjustly applied, the right to inquire about the consequences of a conviction, and the right to vote their conscience based on these factors without fear of punishment. The campaign was inspired by the experience of Paul St. Louis, a juror who, in 2017, voted to convict Frederick Turner, a first-time offender, only to later learn that Turner received a 40-year mandatory minimum sentence, leading to his death in prison. St. Louis expressed regret, stating he would have voted to acquit had he known the severe consequences. The Cato Institute chose Richmond, Virginia, for its initial in-person events due to the state's unique provision allowing convicted defenda... 
