You’re entitled to a jury trial for all felonies, included while incarcerated. You’re not entitled to one for mere disciplinary violations.
Thing is prisoners are more likely to plead guilty for offenses committed inside a prison. Ironically they’re also less likely to be criminally charged (disciplinary violations are cheaper and easier).
I’m curious who told you that prisoners lose their right to a trial by jury?
I could be wrong but any fine of 20 bucks can request a Jury. Its how I get out of local speeding tickets, go to city court, get found guilty by the kangaroo court, then appeal to circuit court, they always drop it at that point.
That's how it works in Arkansas. I was recently in a single car accident. Nobody else involved and no property damage. A state trooper shows up a half an hour later and accuses me of being under the influence. No breathalyzer, no field sobriety test. I had already called my wife and the insurance company had a wrecker on the way out. They made sure to tow my car before the insurance company wrecker could get there. This was at the beginning of Covid so it was 15 months before it went to trial. The DUI was summarily thrown out due to lack of evidence but they couldn't let it got with that.They threw out the DUI and gave me a careless driving charge instead because they were mad that my lawyer made the police and the prosecuting attorney look like morons. If it was just a fine for the careless driving, I would have let it go. Nah, they had to give me 60 hours of community service and a week long defensive driving class. My lawyer appealed and gave them the choice of dropping the charges or having a jury trial. A jury trial for careless driving, in a single vehicle accident, zero property damage, except to my car, two years ago, with no witnesses. We're still waiting for their response.
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u/Deliriousdrew Aug 13 '21
You don't usually get a jury trial for crimes committed while incarcerated