In the Interest of Kevin R.

In a juvenile petition, the State charged Kevin R. (“Appellant”) with possessing a weapon on school grounds in violation of section 16-23-430 of the South Carolina Code.1 Prior to his adjudicatory hearing before a family court judge, Appellant moved for a jury trial on the ground the United States Constitution2 and the South Carolina Constitution3 guaran*299teed him the right to a jury trial. The judge denied the motion and proceeded to hear Appellant’s case in a bench trial. Ultimately, the judge adjudicated Appellant delinquent and deferred sentencing until an evaluation of Appellant was…