If you're considering this, read up on the law, and ideally, get advice from a lawyer who knows the laws and precedents of your state and local judges. It's a trickier subject than you might expect.

I got called to serve jury duty several years ago, and being somewhat familiar with jury nullification, sought advice from a lawyer friend.

I don't remember the exact details of his advice, but it was generally this:

1) Don't even hint that you're aware of jury nullification during jury selection and examination.

Obviously don't lie if asked a direct question about it, but that doesn't really happen. Instead, you might be asked something like, "If the evidence proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, can you enforce the law regardless of your personal beliefs about whether the law is correct?" Just answer "yes" and be quiet – unless you honestly don't think so. (Remember, you won't know much, if anything, about the case at this point. So, abstractly, you probably can set aside personal beliefs if the facts of the case warrant it.)

2) Don't ever use the words "jury nullification" when deliberating with the other jurors.

Judges can and will remove jurors who are openly engaging in jury nullification. There have even been instances of judges holding jurors in contempt for it, but according to my lawyer friend, those cases were overturned. Regardless, you will likely be removed from the jury and possibly have further hassles.

3) In jury deliberation, remember that you don't have to convince the other jurors of your position. If you don't feel right convicting the defendant, you don't have to. Just stick to your guns and let the jury be hung.

I was glad I sought advice, because I ended up engaging in jury nullification.

In my case, the defendant was charged with a DUI for essentially being obnoxiously drunk in his driveway on private property. He was playing music through his truck speakers, with the windows down. The engine was not on, but his keys were in the ignition – to enable the electrical system. He was having a party, with friends over, a grill going, etc. He had not signaled any intent to leave the party at his own home, and the prosecution didn't argue that he was planning to drive anywhere. But in my state, being intoxicated and having your keys in the ignition (or even initiating a sequence of events that will result in driving) is grounds for a DUI.

I understand the reasons for the law being worded that way. If somebody is obviously drunk and walking towards their car to leave a bar, cops need to be able to stop him before he actually starts driving. However, in my case, what actually happened is the defendant mouthed off to the cops, and my interpretation is they were punishing him for being disrespectful. They could have just told him to turn down his music or issued him a noise violation and moved on. He was not planning to drive his car anywhere or endanger anyone. Instead, they unnecessarily escalated the situation.

A DUI can be a felony and can result in losing your job or being excluded from future jobs. It's serious. I didn't think this guy deserved that – despite coming across as a total asshole during his testimony. I tried my best to convince the other jurors, but they all ultimately felt they had to enforce the law as it exists. According to the law, he did commit acts that technically constitute a DUI. So, they all voted guilty – even though many thought it "wasn't fair."

After 8 hours of deliberation, we ended up with a hung jury and me being the sole dissenter. I will admit it was exhausting to keep arguing for the guy, when everybody is tired and just wants to go home. I was also very relieved when I went home that night, searched public convictions, and found none for the defendant.

Anyway, if you get called to serve on a jury, please don't try to get out of it. It's a great honor and responsibility, and we need more intelligent, free-thinking people in our juries. But do educate yourself on jury nullification beforehand.