bench trials
Judge-only court proceedings
A bench trial is a court proceeding decided by a judge alone, without a jury.
The term comes from "the bench" as a metonym for the judiciary.
Defendants in criminal cases or parties in civil disputes may waive their right to a jury trial and opt for a bench trial, often when the case involves complex legal issues or when they believe a judge will be more impartial than jurors: Her attorney recommended a bench trial given the technical nature of the evidence.
- fact-findingSeeking verified information
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- judgeOne who decides
- lawsEnforceable societal rules
- judicial discretionJudge's decision-making freedom
judge alone · court ruling · verdict · adjudication · burden of proof · district courts · tribunal · legal proceeding · civil litigation · civil case · criminal cases · hearing · dispute resolution · opening statements · appellate courts · legal appeals · judicial review · case law