Discussion
Which one of the following principles, if valid, provides the politician with the strongest basis for countering the public advocates' argument?
*This question is included in Practice Set: "Weaker" Questions, Set 3 - Difficult/Uncommon Mix (25Q), question #6
| (A) | Juries should always consider whether the sum of the evidence leaves any reasonable doubt concerning the defendant's guilt, and in all cases in which it does, they should acquit the defendant. |
| (B) | ... |
| (C) | ... |
| (D) | ... |
| (E) | ... |
| (F) | ... |
The solution is
Posted: 09/06/2013 23:56
Yeah...no idea here. Could someone shed a little light on this situation?
Posted: 10/31/2013 16:55
Hi, Matt -
The public advocate is saying that the mandatory sentencing law should be repealed because it is causing juries to acquit possibly guilty defendants just because they consider the mandatory punishment too harsh.
If the politician wishes to counter this argument, he can do so in one of two ways: (1) He can argue that the premise is false (i.e., that juries are not acquitting potentially guilty defendants because of the law), or (2) He can argue against the conclusion (i.e., say that the law should not necessarily be repealed even if such acquittals are occurring). None of the answers supports (1), but answer [E] could act as the basis of (2). Therefore [E] is correct.
Please post again if you have any other questions.
Best,
Lyn
The public advocate is saying that the mandatory sentencing law should be repealed because it is causing juries to acquit possibly guilty defendants just because they consider the mandatory punishment too harsh.
If the politician wishes to counter this argument, he can do so in one of two ways: (1) He can argue that the premise is false (i.e., that juries are not acquitting potentially guilty defendants because of the law), or (2) He can argue against the conclusion (i.e., say that the law should not necessarily be repealed even if such acquittals are occurring). None of the answers supports (1), but answer [E] could act as the basis of (2). Therefore [E] is correct.
Please post again if you have any other questions.
Best,
Lyn