Court Opinion

ID: 8039630
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 03:26:41.27555+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:37:16.738661
License: Public Domain

Simmons, C. J.,
dissenting.
I dissent from that part of the court’s opinion that approves the denial of a jury trial. The rule adopted permits the prosecution to elect whether the accused shall have a jury trial or a trial by the court. The facts charged constitute a felony. By the device of charging that the accused is a delinquent and not a criminal, a jury trial is denied. The substance of the offense and not the form of the charge should control. The liberty and reputation of a person is involved. Youth as well as maturity are entitled to the benefits of the jury system. The statute and the Constitution so provide.