Many defendants opt for bench trials, while others prefer the traditional jury trial. The latest decisions rendered by a judge are a roadmap to your success. Judge. Was this your decision or your lawyer's and what was your thinking behind it? PRO OF A JURY TRIAL (i.e. on December 29, 2017. Who should you choose to render the verdict at your trial — a judge or a jury? In all civil court cases, including those in which a jury makes a decision, a judge must preside over the case. a trial with a jury): Time. The key difference between a bench trial and a jury trial is whether or not there is a jury to decide the outcome of the case or whether a judge makes a decision. In a bench trial, a judge oversees the case and takes the role of the jury. Unlike a jury trial, in which you cannot be certain about the dynamics of the jury or the outcome of a trial, a bench trial presents the parties with a unique ability to peek behind the curtain. Bench Trials vs Jury Trials. Bench Trial vs. Jury Trial. Most people assume that there are only a few outcomes that can occur in a criminal case. Depends if it is a criminal or a civil natter. You may still be entitled to a jury trial on appeal but not in the municipal court. PRO OF A BENCH TRIAL (i.e. Should I Waive a Jury Trial and Instead Have a Bench Trial? - Long Beach, California Criminal Defense Lawyer today for a free consultation. Find out how each may affect the outcome of a case. Why did you go for a bench trial instead of a jury trial? If you would like to speak to an experienced attorney about your case, contact the attorneys at David R. Price Jr., P.A. Many legal systems (Roman, Islamic) use bench trials for most or all cases or for certain types of cases.While a jury renders a verdict, a judge in a bench trial does the same by making a finding. Posted by Bruce Yerman, Esq. Criminal defendants can choose to have what is known as a bench trial, where a judge takes on the role of the jury. What are the Differences Between a Bench Trial and a Jury Trial? Is there a difference between a jury trial and a bench trial? Most people assume that there are only a few outcomes that can occur in a criminal case. Bench trial vs jury trial.If a case is in municipal court a bench trial is the only type of trial available because municipal courts do not have the ability to preside over a jury trial. If you are going to be representing yourself in court, you would probably be better off to opt to have your case heard in front of a judge and not a jury. Most of us know we have the right to a speedy jury trial.But many of us don't know that we can waive that right, if we choose. The term applies most appropriately to any administrative hearing in relation to a summary offense to distinguish the type of trial. Again this can be a pro for either, depending on the situation. If you are weighing your options, you may wonder which is best for your case. Bench Trials vs Jury Trials. A bench trial is a trial by judge, as opposed to a trial by jury. Free Consultation - Call (310) 782-2500 - Greg Hill & Associates aggressively represents the accused against charges in Criminal Defense & Crime cases. If this happens, the defendant may be given a lighter sentence in exchange for entering a guilty plea. In criminal trials, the defendant gets to choose whether to have a trial by judge (also known as a “bench trial”) or a trial by jury. It's essential to speak with an experienced trial attorney before choosing between a jury or bench trial. In most circumstances, the defendant may be offered a plea bargain by the court. In most circumstances, the defendant may be offered a plea bargain by the court. Jury trial vs bench trial. In a criminal matter, the prosecution (federal, local, or state ) bears the court costs, including the jury costs, and all the defendant is liable for is his defense attorney costs. Learn more about the differences between jury and bench trials. For many people, there is a lot of confusion surrounding a jury trial vs. a bench trial.