Understanding North Carolina’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment Allowing Non-Jury Felony Trials

In November 2014, North Carolina voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow a criminal defendant to waive his or her right to a jury trial. The proposed amendment would make a fundamental change in how criminal trials may be conducted in this state. Neither the media nor advocacy groups have given the amendment much attention, and as a result, voters may know little about it. This non-partisan, non-advocacy report provides the information voters need to make an informed decision on the proposed amendment when they go to the polls this fall.