(a) Upon indictment or information for any offense, a person may be convicted of a lesser included offense if supported by the evidence. If requested by either party, the jury shall be informed of the lesser included offense if supported by the evidence. The court, on its own motion, may raise the issue of a lesser included offense at a jury charge conference.

(b) If requested by either party, or in his or her discretion, the judge in a court trial shall consider a lesser included offense if supported by the evidence. (Added 1997, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)