What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial?

A bench trial is a trial held in front of a judge or sometimes a panel of judges, without the involvement of a jury. A jury trial, on the other hand, is a trial held in front of a jury. In Arizona, all criminal cases that are tried in superior court must be tried in front of a jury. Bench trials are generally quicker and simpler than jury trials because there is no jury to convince. The judge solely determines the facts of the case and the applicable law, and then comes to a verdict. In addition, bench trials may allow for the introduction of evidence not necessarily admissible in a jury trial, such as hearsay. Jury trials, on the other hand, involve a panel of jurors, typically between 6 and 12 members. These jurors are selected from the general public to render a guilty or not guilty verdict based on the facts presented at the trial. Jurors are also responsible for determining the sentence imposed in the event of a guilty verdict. Jury trials generally take longer than bench trials, sometimes weeks or even months, as attorneys present their evidence and the jury deliberates. Jury trials generally focus more on the presentation of evidence for the jury to consider rather than legal arguments between the parties. The verdict in a jury trial is determined by the members of the jury, not the judge. In Arizona, a person accused of a crime has the right to choose between a bench trial or a jury trial. Ultimately, the decision is one that should be taken after careful consideration of the circumstances of the case.

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What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial?

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