Question

A defendant was charged with two separate crimes related to vandalism in a national park. Each of the crimes was punishable by a maximum of six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. The defendant requested a jury trial, but his request was denied. The defendant proceeded to trial before a judge in federal court, and was subsequently convicted on both charges. The judge sentenced the defendant to five months of imprisonment for each charge, to be served consecutively, as well as a fine of $5,000 for each charge. The defendant appealed his conviction, arguing that he was entitled to a jury trial. Was the defendant entitled to a jury trial? ANo, because the defendant’s actual sentence for each offense was less than six months. BNo, because the maximum sentence for each offense was six months. CYes, because the combined maximum sentence for the offenses was 12 months. DYes, because the sizeable fine makes each crime a serious offense. SUBMIT ANSWER

Answer 1

Answer:

(c) Yes because the combined maximum sentences for the offences was 12 months.

Explanation:

The right to trial by jury in a criminal case resides in both Article III, Section 2 of the federal Constitution (“The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury”).