The primary purpose of an American jury is to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant for allegedly committed crimes using facts presented by the prosecution and the defense. Juries, however, do not have to judge court cases entirely on that presented information. Juries have a right known as jury nullification, which allows them to acquit a defendant on a charge in spite of evidence of his guilt, based on their personal feelings or beliefs on the law. Jury nullification has long been a part of common law, originating with the English Magna Carta of 1215. Many jurors are unfamiliar with this right, despite it being one of America's oldest. There have been multiple court cases in American history where juries have used jury nullification, and many demonstrate how jury nullification can be utilized for the greater good. While this right may be abused by some juries, there are some circumstances where jury nullification is acceptable, if not necessary. Though it is a jury's responsibility to uphold the law, jurors must have the right to nullify a case supersede their responsibility to uphold laws, since nullification is a recognized right older than America, nullification can be used to express disapproval of laws in place, and nullification can prevent punishment of those who have a legitimate excuse for committing a crime.