Rule 1.430 - DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL; WAIVER (a) Right Preserved. The right of trial by jury as declared by the Constitution or by statute shall be preserved to the parties inviolate.
This Note explores the dual jury system in which each defendant in a joint trial has his or her own jury to decide guilt or innocence.
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...
Amendment Seven to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the right for citizens to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value. It also prohibits judges in these trials from overruling facts revealed by the jury.
Generally speaking, if there are no factual issues in dispute, a court trial would serve you well. When there are disputed facts, you normally have a better chance convincing a jury than a judge to see things your way. Remember, a jury is strictly the finder of facts in a trial.
The constitution grants a defendant the right to a 'speedy trial'. Sometimes, the court system can be frustratingly slow when it comes to finishing up a case. A jury trial demand is simply a request that a date be set for a jury trial.
The grounds for a permanent excuse include: Persons 70 years of age or older; Persons having active care and custody of a child or children under 10 years of age whose health and/or safety would be jeopardized by their absence for jury service; Persons who are essential to the care of aged or infirm persons;
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...
There are various reasons why a defendant might consider waiving their right to a jury trial. For instance, they might aim to resolve the case swiftly or keep it out of the local news. Alternatively, they might have a lengthy criminal record and wish to minimize public exposure.
At a defendant's arraignment, if they enter a "not guilty" plea, there will be several pretrial trial proceedings designed to resolve the case. If a plea bargain is not reached, then the case will proceed to trial.