Questions of fact in felony cases and, except as provided by special statutes, in misdemeanor cases, provided that the information was originally filed in the Court of First Instance and was also within the jurisdiction of the District Court, shall be tried by jury unless the defendant expressly, intelligently and personally waives the right to trial by jury. Before accepting the defendant’s waiver of his right to be tried by jury, the judge is bound to explain to the defendant the meaning of the waiver of such right and to warn him of the consequences thereof.The court shall grant the trial by jury at any time after the arraignment. If the waiver to the right of trial by jury is filed after the beginning of trial, the trial judge is authorized to discretionally allow it to continue by court of law with the consent of the government attorney. History —July 9, 1986, No. 86, p. 273, eff. 30 days after July 9, 1986.
Puerto Rico Legal Code