Bill > H3281

This bill makes several changes to laws regarding jury trials, primarily focusing on the ability of defendants to waive their right to a jury trial. In juvenile court, a child accused of being delinquent or a youthful offender will now have a jury trial by default, and can only waive this right if they file a written waiver, are represented by counsel or have waived counsel, and the Commonwealth (the state) does not object. Similarly, for criminal offenses in the Boston Municipal Court and district courts, defendants will have a jury trial by default and can waive it under the same conditions: a written waiver, representation by counsel or waiver of counsel, and no objection from the Commonwealth. The bill also amends existing provisions to explicitly state that a waiver of a jury trial is not effective if the Commonwealth objects, and in some cases, clarifies that the court's consent to a waiver is contingent on the Commonwealth not objecting.