Questions tagged [bench-trial]
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When and why are jury trials preferred to bench trials of criminal charges?
A jury trial consists of a judge, who is the arbiter of law, and a jury, which is the "fact-finder."
A bench trial consists only of a judge, who determines questions of both law and fact to ...
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How is a bench trial simpler, or less costly than a jury trial?
My understanding is that a bench trial is one in which there is no jury because the judge is allowed to be a finder of fact as well as a finder of law.
In a particular tort case, the facts are fairly ...
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How can Edward Snowden be denied a jury trial?
Is the US right to a trial by jury a conditional right which can be revoked preemptively?
It was my understanding the US Constitution allowed anyone accused of a crime to be judged by a peer jury. ...
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Are damages in civil cases assessed by the judge or the jury?
In common law countries, criminal cases are usually tried by jury, but the judge is responsible for sentencing. Even in the United States, where there is a constitutional right to a criminal trial by ...
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Any solid research on error rate of criminal conviction system: jury vs judges?
To my knowledge most countries use one of two systems for determining the guilt of the accused in criminal cases: “jury of your peers” (who don’t have to justify their decision) vs “judg(es), possibly ...
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Under what circumstances do civil cases go before juries in the U.S.?
In a criminal case, per Rule 23, either party may demand a jury trial (and the defendant usually does).
A civil case, however, is often decided by a "bench" (judge) trial. Under what circumstances ...