We have jails full of nonviolent convicts, and it's not going to change unless we voice our opinion during the legal process. Stop trying to get out of jury duty, and step into the courtroom to safeguard common sense instead.

I've been talking with listeners about the war on drugs after discovering that a South Jersey man, Jon Peditto, could get up to twenty-years for "operating a drug distribution center"- a.k.a. growing pot in his basement. There's no shortage of people upset that this nonviolent offender is facing serious charges, but we're not going to stop future cases like this from happening unless we get involved.

We'd be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity that's already been provided to us in jury duty, where "we the people" get a direct say in court outcomes.

Will you join me in volunteering for jury duty, or at least not shrugging it when we get that letter in the mail? Let me know what you think by tweeting at @nj1015 and @BillSpadea or commenting below.

Bill Spadea is host of the Chasing News TV program. He periodically fills in for NJ 101.5 show hosts, and you can daily hear his opinion about all things New Jersey here, or by tweeting @BillSpadea.

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