Prosecutor’s right to a jury trial?! [Minnesota]
http://accident–prone.blogspot.com/2008/03/prosecutors-right-to-jury-trial.html
Since when does a prosecutor have a right to a trial? Or any trial at all? Trial rights should fall in the hands of the defendant. I already have a problem with the Minnesota law requiring prosecutoral consent to waive sequestration of a jury. Defendants waive a jury for many reasons – for example: press creating bias in the jury pool or facts that could confuse a jury. In those cases, a judge could better weigh the evidence in a manner more fair to the defendant whose liberty is at stake. Prosecutors have no liberty interest, so I am confused as to why it is even being entertained that they have a say in who decides the defendant’s fate! The choice whether to have a jury trial is that of the accused – whether he chooses to waive the jury at trial or to plead guilty. That right should not be stripped from him.
This is a dire issue that could use the voice of the public. Here is a link to all the members of the committee hearing the issue Thursday. If you know anyone on the committee, or are a constituent of a member, contact them before the hearing and let them know your concerns.
