Sixth Amendment Right to Jury Trial
Definition
Right of a criminal defendant to be tried by an impartial jury drawn from the state and district where the crime was allegedly committed. A defendant is entitled to a jury trial if the maximum sentence that could be imposed on the defendant is greater than six months' imprisonment. However, even if the crime carries a maximum potential sentence of less than six months' imprisonment, the defendant may still have the right to a jury trial if the other statutory penalties for the offense are so severe that they suggest a legislative intent to treat the crime as a serious crime.