Bench Trial or Jury Trial: Which Is Better for Your Case

A bench trial refers to a trial in which the judge alone determines the outcome, rather than having a jury deliberate, and whether a bench trial is beneficial depends on the unique circumstances of the case at hand. This means that, in some instances, a bench trial can be advantageous, but in others, a jury trial is considered the way to go. Your case is highly specific to your situation, and in the end, your experienced Cumming criminal defense attorney will help you determine the best path forward for you. 

The Potential Benefits of a Bench Trial 

To have a bench trial, you’ll need to waive your right to a jury trial, and doing so is considered advisable under highly specific circumstances. 

Efficiency 

If you are interested in putting the case against you well behind you as quickly as possible, a bench trial can speed up the process in all the following ways:

• There is greater flexibility involved. For example, the judge may begin the proceedings earlier and may allow them to go on longer, rather than adhering to the firm scheduling requirements of jury trials.
• Opening and closing statements generally aren’t required, which eliminates these often-time-consuming components of the trial. 
• Issues like the admissibility of evidence will not require additional time to establish.
• The jury selection and jury instruction process, which can both be very time-consuming, are not necessary. 

Experience and Knowledge

In a bench trial, the judge is the trier of fact, which means that they determine the final outcome of the case. In highly complex cases in which challenging legal issues must be carefully analyzed and applied, turning to a judge who has considerable experience in this arena and a wealth of knowledge regarding the applicable laws can prove beneficial. 

When a Jury Trial Is the Way to Go 

In a bench trial, you can count on the judge being aware of all the available evidence, even that evidence that may not be admissible in the case. While the judge must leave such information out of their decision-making process, they are human, and ignoring glaring facts without bias is a lofty goal that can be very difficult to achieve. With a jury trial, however, you can generally count on inadmissible evidence being kept from the jury, which can work in your favor.

Understanding the Legal Parameters

While a judge is held to the strict boundaries of the law, which they understand very well, juries are far more likely to allow their feelings and emotions to sway their final decisions. For example, if the jury believes that the charge against you is a stretch or that your actions were mitigated by the situation, they may look beyond the strict parameters of the law and may cast their votes from a more human perspective. 

Convincing 12 People Rather than Just 1 

With a jury trial, the prosecution is tasked with convincing 12 people that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is generally considered a higher bar than convincing only one person, even when that person is the judge in a bench trial.

Reach Out to an Experienced Cumming Criminal Defense Lawyer

The formidable Cumming criminal defense attorneys at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland have the experience and legal skill to help guide your case toward a favorable resolution that is based on the unique circumstances that apply, and we will spare no effort in the process. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 770-887-1209 today.