Valonis v. State

In this opinion we must address whether the amendment to Rule 4-246(b) which added the language “the court determines and announces on the record” and requires a trial judge to make an explicit finding of jury trial waiver on the record is subject to strict compliance; and whether failure to make such a factual determination is reversible error. Also we must determine whether the defendant’s failure to object during the proceedings to the trial judge’s failure to comply strictly with Rule 4-246(b) constitutes a waiver or, whether a trial judge’s failure to strictly comply with Rule 4-246(b)…