People v. Charles F.

While lay Judges unquestionably make a significant, valued contribution to the functioning *478of our judicial system, defendants facing imprisonment, with a complex array of constitutional and statutory rights, must have the option to be tried before law-trained Judges. This position is compelled by the holding of the United States Supreme Court in North v Russell (427 US 328), and consistent with the decision of this court in People v Skrynski (42 NY2d 218, 221).

In May, 1981 three informations were issued by the Conesus Town Court, charging appellant with criminal mischief in the fourth degree…