Opinion ID: 547548
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jury claim

Text: 42 Ostrosky's second claim in his habeas petition, not reached by the district court, 22 is that the reasonable mistake of law defense should be tried to a jury, not the court. Under the Alaska constitution, each defendant to a criminal charge exposing her or him to incarceration has the right to a jury trial. Baker v. City of Fairbanks, 471 P.2d 386 (Alaska 1970); Alaska Const. art. I, Sec. 11. Ostrosky explicitly waived this right on the condition that he be allowed to appeal the trial court's denial of his motion to dismiss and refusal to permit the mistake of law defense. Ostrosky apparently made a strategic decision to take his chances with the judge. He cannot now seek a jury trial when he has waived that right.