Commonwealth v. Germano

At issue is whether a section of the legislation entitled, “An Act providing for the orderly administration of justice in the commonwealth,” popularly known as the Court Reorganization Act, St. 1978, c. 478, eliminates the right to trial by jury for certain minor motor vehicle violations.

The defendant, Carmelo Germano, is charged with failing to keep to the right (G. L. c. 89, § 1), failing to stop on entering a through way (G. L. c. 89, § 9), and refusing to stop for a police officer (G. L. c. 90, § 25). Germano signed written waivers of his right to counsel and his right to an initial jury…