Right to a Jury Trial
A jury trial is a trial in front of (12) random community members who are registered voters.
The right to a trial by jury is a very important right which is set forth in both the Sixth and Seventh Amendment of the United States Constitution; Article I, Section 5 of the Ohio Constitution; and Ohio Revised Code 2945.17.
6th AMENDMENT: The Sixth Amendment states that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused criminal has the right to a trial by an impartial jury of the state and district in which the individual allegedly committed a crime.
OHIO CONSTITUTION: The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate, except that, in civil cases, laws may be passed to authorize the rendering of a verdict by the concurrence of not less than three-fourths of the jury.
OHIO REVISED CODE: 2945.17
(A) At any trial, in any court, for the violation of any statute of this state, or of any ordinance of any municipal corporation, except as provided in divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the accused has the right to be tried by a jury.
(B) The right to be tried by a jury that is granted under division (A) of this section does not apply to a violation of a statute or ordinance that is any of the following:
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A violation that is a minor misdemeanor;
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A violation for which the potential penalty does not include the possibility of a prison term or jail term and for which the possible fine does not exceed one thousand dollars.