Ohio prosecutors push mandatory jury trials - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Ohio prosecutors push mandatory jury trials

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
AP Legal Affairs Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio prosecutors say they're not giving up in their efforts to pass a law that would allow them to demand that criminal defendants undergo a trial by jury.

The proposal by the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association targets defendants suspected of waiving their rights to a jury trial because they believe a judge will be more sympathetic.

Prosecutors want the ability to demand a jury trial if they believe a judge is biased in favor of the defendant.

Defense attorneys and judges oppose the legislation, which was passed by the Ohio House this year but died in the Senate earlier this month.

Judges say the Ohio Constitution provides defendants the right to a trial by jury but does not require such a trial.

Andrew Welsh-Huggins can be reached on Twitter at https://twitter.com/awhcolumbus.

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