Issue Position: Courts

Issue Position

1. The common law authority of a trial by jury preceded our constitution
and is the foundation of our legal system. If a jury of peers deems a
law unjust, oppressive or inappropriately applied, it has the right and
duty to acquit the defendant. I support the right of defendants to a
fully informed jury, which would require judges to instruct jurors of
their authority to judge not only the facts, but also the justice of the
law according to their own good consciences.

2. I support restitution for victims of crimes or civil infractions at
the expense of the perpetrator. The victim should have the right to
pardon the perpetrator, provided the victim is not threatened or
coerced.

3. Private adjudication of disputes by mutually acceptable judges or
mediators should be encouraged.

4. No-fault laws should be repealed because they deprive the victim of
the right to recover damages from those responsible for causing harm.

5. The right of trial by jury should be allowed in all civil or criminal
cases.

6. The use of civil asset forfeiture to enforce laws circumvents
constitutional protections and should be ended.

7. Random police roadblocks and other searches without probable cause
bypass constitutional protections and should be prohibited.

Source