Jury or Nonjury Trial

(a) Jury Trial. If the defendant is entitled to a jury trial, the trial must be by jury unless: Rule 24 FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 36 (1) the defendant waives a jury trial in writing; (2) the government consents; and (3) the court approves. (b) Jury Size. (1) In General. A jury consists of 12 persons unless this rule provides otherwise. (2) Stipulation for a Smaller Jury. At any time before the verdict, the parties may, with the court’s approval, stipulate in writing that: (A) the jury may consist of fewer than 12 persons; or (B) a jury of fewer than 12 persons may return a verdict if the court finds it necessary to excuse a juror for good cause after the trial begins. (3) Court Order for a Jury of 11. After the jury has retired to deliberate, the court may permit a jury of 11 persons to re- turn a verdict, even without a stipulation by the parties, if the court finds good cause to excuse a juror. (c) Nonjury Trial. In a case tried without a jury, the court must find the defendant guilty or not guilty. If a party requests before the finding of guilty or not guilty, the court must state its spe- cific findings of fact in open court or in a written decision or opin- ion. (As amended Feb. 28, 1966, eff. July 1, 1966; Pub. L. 95–78, § 2(b), July 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 320, eff. Oct. 1, 1977; Apr. 28, 1983, eff. Aug. 1, 1983; Apr. 29, 2002, eff. Dec. 1, 2002.)