#ncpol: Guilford, Alamance boards to consider resolutions opposing jury trial right waiver
It’s pretty obvious a lot of people are fed up with lying politicians and staying away from the polls. THAT actually helps us end up with the motley crew of scoundrels we have in government.
You may not be enthused about the choices for US Senate, or even your local congressional race, but there are a number of significant statewide issues that need some serious attention from voters in November.
We have a number of judges on the ballot. The left — locked out of the governor’s mansion and the halls of power on Jones Street — have tried to legislate via their cronies on the bench. We have a grand opportunity to ensure conservative representation on our state court benches this November. Find out who those judges are and get out there to vote for them. 
Another important item on the ballot is a state constitution amendment that allows for the waiver of our constitutionally-protected right to a jury trial. It’s being touted in the name of efficiency.
Some concerned activists in the Piedmont region of the state have presented resolutions opposing this travesty to the county boards of commissioners in Alamance and Guilford counties. Guilford meets October 2, while Alamance meets October 6. If you live in either of those counties, contact your commissioners and let your voice be heard. Show up at these meetings in October, if you can, and demonstrate the importance of sending a message about this proposed amendment.
The idea here is simple. Don’t give up ANY of your rights. Period. Exercise them regularly.
Each piece of liberty you concede takes us as a nation further down the road toward every other country.
Whether it’s gun laws, spying laws, judicial laws, etc it is a cumulative effect. It will eventually reach a tipping point, where there is no correction or going back. The NSA revelations put us there now, in my opinion.
Any of you who tout that Obama is wrecking and bypassing the Constitution, had better also look at our own state government. Like Brant said.
We need to take this Resolution to every City and County Board!! We need to make them go “on the Record”, so we can learn if their loyalty is to the People, or to the Government Power Brokers!!
The text of the “Resolution in Opposition to Waiver of Trial by Jury Amendment” can be found on facebook. Look in the “Files” of the group “Keep Your Jury Power – North Carolina”.
Come out to the Guilford Co. Commissioners Meeting on Thursday, 10/2/2014 @ 5:30 PM. Old Courthouse (2nd Floor), 301 W. Market St., Greensboro.
Or, Alamance County Commissioners Meeting, 10/6/2014 @ 9 AM, Alamance County Office Building (2nd Floor), 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253.
IF you are not on Facebook, but want help getting the Resolution before your City, or County Board, please contact me @ howardbeatty(at)mindspring(dot)com
We will give you help, and contacts, in your area. It’s always better to work with others!
Mr. Clifton, do you have a link to these resolutions, or any additional information on the “concerned activists” presenting said resolutions? I penned a piece on the constitutional amendment for Pundithouse a few months back and was unaware of any formal opposition to the proposed amendment.
The text of the “Resolution in Opposition to Waiver of Trial by Jury Amendment” can be found on facebook. Look in the “Files” of the group “Keep Your Jury Power – North Carolina”.
Please post the text of the resolution in the comments if space permits. Not all of us are on facebook.
Resolution in Opposition to Waiver of Trial by Jury Amendment
Whereas, the North Carolina General Assembly has enacted legislation, which will cause to be proposed to the People of North Carolina, on the 2014 General Election ballot, an Amendment to Article I, Declaration of Rights, Section 24, “Right of jury trial in criminal cases.”, of the North Carolina Constitution, and
Whereas, all political and judicial Power is inherent in, and derives from, the People, and
Whereas, all lawful Governments derive their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, and
Whereas, the proposed Amendment will affect the ancient and fundamental Right of Trial by a Jury of the People, and
Whereas, the ancient system and Right of Trial by Jury, enshrined in the common law by the sign and seal of King John on the Magna Carta, in 1215 A.D., has been termed the “bulwark” and “palladium” of English liberty, and
Whereas, as Americans, we are the heirs and beneficiaries of the English liberty and the English common law, and
Whereas, Thomas Jefferson stated that, “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”, and
Whereas, a Jury of the People is the fundamental and primary means whereby the People give Consent to any act of the Government, and
Whereas, a Jury of the People is the last peaceful barrier against usurpation, tyranny, and oppression, and
Whereas, in the North Carolina Constitution of 1776, the People made a Declaration of Rights, and
Whereas, the Declaration of Rights of 1776 acknowledges the ancient institutions of the Grand Jury, and the Petit, or Trial, Jury, in the following Articles:
“VIII. That no freeman shall be put to answer any criminal charge, but by indictment, presentment, or impeachment.”, and
“IX. That no freeman shall be convicted of any crime, but by the unanimous verdict of a jury of good and lawful men, in open court, as heretofore used.”, and
Whereas, it is a fundamental principle of our common law system of jurisprudence that the People shall be judged by the People, and not by any Officer of the Government, and
Whereas, the proposed Amendment, if ratified by a simple majority of the People, would make a fundamental change to our North Carolina Constitution and the Declaration of Rights, and allow a person charged with a crime to waive the ancient Right of Trial by a Jury of the People, and
Whereas, the People would thereby be deprived of their fundamental Right and Duty to act as the Conscience and Consentors of the Community, and the ultimate arbiters of the law, and of the facts, and
Whereas, the proposed Amendment would introduce both the potential, and incentive, for corruption, coercion, conspiracy and collusion; bribery and extortion; and partial, preferential, and prejudicial Abuses of Power by Agents of the Government against the People, and
Whereas, there is an inherent conflict of interest in the fact that judges, prosecutors, and all attorneys, as Officers of the Court, are dues paying members of, are licensed by, and have loyalty to, the North Carolina State Bar as a condition of their employment in the Judicial Branch of Government; and
Whereas, in addition, judges, prosecutors, and attorneys, as Officers of the Court, who receive pay, privileges, and benefits from the Government, have a fundamental, indefeasible, and irremediable conflict of interest in favor of the Government and of the North Carolina State Bar, and against the inherent Rights and Interests of the People; and
Whereas, the Amendment would create opportunity, and incentive, for government agents to exert pressure on the poor, the powerless, and the politically unconnected members of society to accept a trial by Judge, and to waive the fundamental Right to Trial by Jury, and
Whereas, rich, powerful, and politically connected defendants could choose to avoid a Trial by a Jury of the People, and choose rather to go before a Judicial Agent of the Government, likely to be favorable to them; and
Whereas, Justice and Equity would not be served if the rich, powerful, and politically connected, who have an undue or special influence, are allowed to choose to go before a Judge, likely to be favorable to them, rather than a randomly selected and impartial Jury of the People sworn to uphold Justice and Equity, according to Reason and a good Conscience; and
Whereas, Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Constitutions long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes, but only with, and after, due deliberation, discussion, and debate by the People, and
Whereas, the Amendment to allow Waiver of Trial by Jury has not been fully and properly publicized to the People for their due deliberation, discussion, and debate, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That We, the undersigned People of North Carolina, find and declare the proposed Amendment to be contrary and injurious to our system of Checks and Balances, and the fundamental principles of constitutional and republican government; and be it further
Resolved, That We, the undersigned People of North Carolina, shall retain our ancient, inherent, and constitutional Right to judge both the People, and the Government, and be it further
Resolved, That We, the undersigned People of North Carolina, hereby Oppose ratification of the proposed Amendment, and the proposed changes to the Declaration of Rights, and be it further
Resolved, That We, the undersigned People of North Carolina, will, with due diligence, and with publicity in the media, warn others of the sovereign People of the threat inherent in the proposed Amendment, and advocate for a vote “Against” on the November 2014 General Election ballot.
Opposition to Trial by Jury Amendment https://www.facebook.com/notes/keep-your-jury-power-north-carolina/resolution-in-opposition-to-waiver-of-trial-by-jury-amendment/329097350596026
Again, not all of us are on Facebook. Make your page viewable by the public and it might be easier for your message to spread.
Good point. For myself, I despise Zuckerberg and his politics, and for that reason stay clear of Facebook.
Rep. Mike Speciale has done a lot to expose this amendment.