Constitution of the State of New York Art. VI § 18. [Trial by jury;  number of jurors;  trial of certain criminal cases without jury;  claims against state, manner of trial]

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.