State v. Rowell

Defendant Donald Rowell was convicted in the District Court (Bangor) of operating a motor vehicle while his license was suspended, a Class D offense. 29 M.R.S.A. § 2184 (Supp.1982-1983). Following an unsuccessful appeal to the Superior Court, he appeals to the Law Court, contending that he was improperly denied his right to a jury trial. We agree.

Defendant contends that he was not informed at his arraignment of his right to a trial by jury as is required by M.D.C. Crim.R. 5(b) and that therefore his failure to demand a jury trial during the 21 days following the arraignment cannot be “deemed”…