People v. Scott

After a bench trial, the defendant, Jerry R. Scott, was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol. Defendant was sentenced to two years’ probation. On appeal, defendant argues that his conviction must be reversed because he did not waive his right to a jury trial in open court, where the only purported waiver was a document submitted to the court outside his presence and where neither the defendant nor his attorney was addressed upon the right of a trial by jury or the waiver of that right in defendant’s presence.

In Illinois, there are two statutes that govern a criminal…