Quote :

"As an publicly known atheist, maybe I don't want a jury trial in NC."

this is proposing a reason and not saying "why not"

4/17/2014 2:48:14 PM

Quote :

"Just an FYI, NC Rule of Evidence 610 generally would not allow evidence of your religious belief, or lack thereof. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_8C/GS_8C-610.html"

Depending on the judge, I think if I were in that position I'd take my chances with someone learned in the law taking that into consideration rather than 12 rubes from whatever county I'm being tried in.

Quote :

"this is proposing a reason and not saying "why not""

Is it unreasonable to scrutinize the benefits and detriments of change and conclude a change is warranted if the benefits outweigh the detriments?

[Edited on April 17, 2014 at 3:01 PM. Reason : .]

4/17/2014 2:59:47 PM

no, that's exactly what you should do. some people seemed to just be saying "i don't see a problem with it" as if that is a reasonable justification.

4/17/2014 3:04:28 PM

People waive their right to counsel, after being mirandized. But that never seems to be an issue...

But making a decision with an informed attorney suddenly is?

4/17/2014 9:42:40 PM

True, people waive their rights all the time, and it is often an issue. People are pressured into waiving their right to silence or their right to counsel by law enforcement and the resulting evidence is often used against them in court.

And that's the problem I'm attempting to remedy in the statutory language - as it's written, the consent of a defense attorney is not required before a defendant can waive their right to a jury trial.

4/18/2014 7:57:50 AM

^^ saying "why not?" isn't a reason to do something. If you wanted to change Miranda rights you would also need a reason.

4/18/2014 8:37:48 AM

Why is dtownral so viciously opposed to something he clearly knows little about?

4/18/2014 3:43:46 PM

i think you may be confusing me with another poster, i don't think i have made any posts opposed to this. i can't make a personal decision about this until i hear a reason for it.

4/18/2014 3:47:44 PM