N.D.R.Crim.P.
RULE 23. TRIAL BY JURY OR BY COURT
(a) Trial by Jury Trial. Trial must be by jury in all cases
as provided by law If the defendant
is entitled to a jury trial, the trial must be by jury unless:
(1) the defendant waives a jury trial in writing or in open court;
(2) with the approval of the court and consent of the prosecuting
attorney consents; and;
(3) the court approves.
(b) Number of jurors Jury Size.
(1) Felony Cases. In felony cases, in which a jury
is impaneled, the jury shall consist
consists of twelve qualified jurors unless this rule provides otherwise.
(2) Misdemeanor Cases.
(A) In Class A misdemeanor cases, in which a jury
is impaneled, the jury shall consist
consists of six qualified jurors unless a the defendant
makes a timely written demand for
demands a jury of twelve. The defendant's demand must be in writing and filed
with the
clerk not later than the time set for making pretrial motions.
(B) In other misdemeanor cases, in which a jury
is impaneled, the jury shall consist consists
of six qualified jurors.
(c) Jury of fewer than twelve by stipulation Stipulation for a Smaller
Jury. At any time
before verdict the parties may stipulate in writing or in open court, with the court's
approval
of the court, that the jury shall may consist of fewer
than twelve persons.
(d) Court Trial without a jury. In a case tried without a jury, the
court shall make a general
finding of must find the defendant guilty or not guilty.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 23 was amended, effective_________________.
Rule 23 is adapted from Fed.R.Crim.P. 23 and governs trial by jury or by court in
all
criminal actions within this State in this state. Rule 23 differs from the
Federal Rule federal
rule in that the Federal Rule federal rule permits only a written
waiver of jury trial. The right
to trial by jury is more extensive under North Dakota law than Federal
federal law. See N.D.
Const. art. I, § 13; N.D.C.C. §§ 29-01-06, 29-16-02, 29-17-12, and
40-18-15.
Rule 23 was amended, effective ______________, in response to the December 1, 2002, revision of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules.
Subdivision (b) implements the provisions of N.D.C.C. § 29-17-12 by clarifying
when
a request for a jury of 12 in a Class A misdemeanor case must be made to be
"timely."
Subdivision (c) permits either a stipulation in writing before trial that the case be tried by
a jury composed of less than twelve or a stipulation during the trial consenting that the case
be submitted to less than twelve jurors. The second alternative is useful in case it becomes
necessary during the trial to excuse a juror because of illness or some other cause and no
alternative juror is available. The federal rule, as amended in 1983
2002, permits a trial by
a jury of eleven without a stipulation if the court finds it necessary to excuse a juror after the
jury has retired to consider its verdict. Subdivision (c) does not follow the federal rule in this
respect because the North Dakota Constitution, Art. I, § 13, provides that "A person
accused of a crime for which he may be confined for a period of more than one year has the
right of trial by a jury of twelve [and] the legislative assembly may determine the size of the
jury for all other cases, provided that the jury consists of at least six members." The
Committee believes that any provision permitting a trial by a jury of less than twelve without
a stipulation of the parties would conflict with this constitutional provision.
Subdivision (d) differs from the Federal Rule federal rule in that
it requires only a finding
of guilty or not guilty, whereas while the Federal
Rule federal rule provides, "In a case tried
without a jury the court shall make a general finding and shall in addition upon request find
the facts specially. * * *" for the court to make specific findings of fact if a party
requests.
SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of January 27-28, 2005, pages 18-19; April 28-29, 1994, page 7; April 20, 1989, pages 10 and 15-17; December 3, 1987, page 14; September 18-19, 1986, page 3; September 26-27, 1985, pages 3-5; June 22, 1984, page 19; February 20-23, 1973, pages 13-14, 17; October 17-20, 1972, pages 18-23; February 20-21, 1969, pages 1-3; July 26-27, 1968, pages 11-13; Fed.R.Crim.P. 23.
STATUTES AFFECTED:
CONSIDERED: N.D.C.C. §§ 27-08-40, 27-08-41, 29-16-02, 33-12-19, 40-18-15.