A print head circuit of an inkjet printer comprising a plurality of row heating elements arranged in a plurality of rows, a plurality of column heating elements arranged in a plurality of columns, and a plurality of lateral bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), each lateral BJT is connected in between and in series with a corresponding one of the plurality of row heating elements and a corresponding one of the plurality of column heating elements, the plurality of lateral BJTs have common bases, wherein the plurality of row heating elements and the plurality of column heating elements are selectively energized to heat ink in the inkjet printer in a desired pattern for printing media, and wherein each of the plurality of lateral BJTs operates to allow the corresponding row and column heating elements that are connected in series with the lateral BJT to be energized.