united-states criminal-law acquittal
Can a judge acquit an obviously innocent person who insists on a jury trial?
<p>Jane Doe is charged with a crime. She is obviously innocent, but in court, she insists on a jury trial. Can a judge ignore her demand and acquit her without a jury?</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Can a judge acquit an obviously innocent person who insists on a jury trial?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes. This is part of the doctrine of judicial economy and the requirements of &quot;<em>[w]ise judicial administration, giving regard to conservation of judicial resources and comprehensive disposition of litigation</em>&quot;. <a href="https://www.leagle.com/decision/1952522342us1801503" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Kerotest Mfg. Co. v. C-O-TWO Co.</em>, 342 U.S. 180, 183 (1952)</a>.</p>
<p>In line with <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/81704/can-a-judge-acquit-an-obviously-innocent-person-who-insists-on-a-jury-trial#comment176912_81704">phoog's comment</a>, it would make no sense for a judge to artificially maintain proceedings where the counterparty (in this case the prosecutor) either withdrew or should have withdrawn.</p>
