Advantages Of A Bench Trial
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Advantages of a bench trial. What are the advantages of a bench trial. Reasons for a bench trial. As noted above it is often quicker to get a bench trial than to wait for an opening for a jury trial. In a bench trial there is ample opportunity to present the court with arguments throughout the pretrial proceedings.
We need you to answer this question. The judge knows the law if you truly feel that the law is on your side a bench trial may be the better option. It is just that i must assess in every case whether a jury trial is better for my clients than a bench trial and in the last 12 13 years i have picked a bench trial in almost every case. Some advantages that bench trials offer include.
Because bench trials are often shorter in duration than are jury trials they are cheaper if you are paying your lawyer by the hour. As you can see there are some advantages of a jury trial and advantages of a bench trial. Unlike jury trials where a juror may learn little to nothing about a case before trial cases tried from the bench present unique opportunities to shape the judges opinion of the case prior to trial. The court is required to follow the same rules of evidence and procedure at every trial.
While planning your defense you and your lawyer may find that a bench trial is the best choice for your specific case. Its important to carefully weigh the advantages or disadvantages of a bench trial. The judge cannot rule differently in a bench trial than he would in a jury trial. I am not opposed to jury trials.
So what is a bench trial hearing best for when it comes to different legal cases. As mentioned before. One of the best reasons to choose a bench trial is having a complicated legal issue that a jury wouldnt understand. In criminal cases matters are almost always decided by a jury.
Advantages of a bench trial in virginia. Because a jury is not present a. Trial by jury may be a better choice than a bench trial when it comes time to try a case there are sometimes a few options. Trying to keep the trial short and legal costs low is another reason for this option.
Hopefully lawyers and clients reading this will at least consider whether a bench trial is a better choice for their clients case than a jury trial. Ask your criminal defense attorney about the judge selected to preside over the case.