Kawamura v. State

ELDRIDGE, Judge.

This case involves a challenge to the constitutionality of Maryland Code (1974, 1984 Repl.Vol.), § 4 — 302(d)(2)(H) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, which limits a criminal defendant’s right to be tried by a jury under certain circumstances. 1 Section 4-302(d)(2)(i) entitles a criminal defendant in the District Court to a jury trial in any case where the maximum authorized penalty for the offense with which he is charged is imprisonment for greater than ninety days. Once a defendant in such case prays a jury trial, the District Court is deprived of jurisdiction,…