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

A bench trial and a jury trial are two different kinds of criminal procedures that can take place in North Dakota. A bench trial is a criminal trial in which a judge alone decides the outcome. In a bench trial, the judge hears the evidence presented by both sides, examines any exhibits, considers any motions, and listens to arguments. At the end of the trial, the judge renders a verdict based on the evidence presented. A jury trial is a criminal trial in which a group of people, called jurors, decide the outcome. Unlike with a bench trial, the judge does not decide the outcome. Instead, the jurors listen to the evidence presented by both sides and then deliberate and reach a verdict based on that evidence. The difference between a bench trial and a jury trial is that in a bench trial, it is the sole responsibility of the judge to decide the outcome, whereas in a jury trial, the outcome is determined by a group of jurors. In both cases, the outcome will be based on the evidence presented. However, a jury trial allows for a broader range of opinions and experiences to be taken into consideration when rendering a verdict.

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