Dortch v. State

The sole issue in these consolidated criminal appeals is whether, for an election of a court trial to be "voluntary” within the contemplation of Maryland Rule 735, the trial judge must make a specific inquiry of the accused on the record to determine if his decision to waive trial by jury was improperly induced by promises or by physical or mental coercion.

Maryland Rule 735 a requires that the defendant in a criminal case, prior to trial, elect in writing whether to be tried by a jury or by the court. The form and content of the written election is set forth in Rule 735 b as follows:

"Election…