N.Y. Const. art. VI, § 18: Trial by jury; trial without a jury; claims against the state

§ 18. a. Trial by jury is guaranteed as provided in article one of

this constitution. The legislature may provide that in any court of

original jurisdiction a jury shall be composed of six or of twelve

persons and may authorize any court which shall have jurisdiction over

crimes and other violations of law, other than crimes prosecuted by

indictment, to try such matters without a jury, provided, however, that

crimes prosecuted by indictment shall be tried by a jury composed of

twelve persons, unless a jury trial has been waived as provided in

section two of article one of this constitution.

b. The legislature may provide for the manner of trial of actions and

proceedings involving claims against the state.