LA SB97

Amends Article I, Section 17(A) of the Louisiana Constitution to require written consent from the prosecuting authority before a defendant in a noncapital felony case may waive the right to a jury trial

Current law allows defendants to unilaterally waive jury trials no later than 45 days before the trial date; the amendment adds prosecutor consent as a new requirement

Jury trial waiver must still be made knowingly and intelligently, no later than 45 days prior to trial, and remains irrevocable once made

Requires two-thirds approval from both legislative chambers and submission to voters at the statewide election on April 17, 2027

Capital cases remain excluded from jury waiver provisions regardless of prosecutor consent