NC jury trials could be waived in amendment change

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina’s constitution gives every criminal defendant the right to a trial and to be convicted by a unanimous jury. Now, some lawmakers want to change that.

The Senate voted unanimously Monday evening in favor of giving defendants the right to waive their jury trial if they agree in court and the trial judge signs off. It wouldn’t apply to capital cases. Voters would have to approve the constitutional change in a statewide referendum in November 2014.

Bill sponsor Sen. Pete Brunstetter of Forsyth County says the legislation was initially conceived as a way to reduce Superior Court case loads. He says such waivers already are allowed in federal courts but that North Carolina is one of the few states that don’t.

The bill now goes to the House.

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