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

In Washington, the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial depends on the type of criminal case being heard. A bench trial is a trial presided over by a judge alone, while a jury trial is a trial with 12 members of the community who will decide the outcome. In a bench trial, the judge takes on the sole responsibility of determining the guilt or innocence of the accused and deciding the punishment if the accused is found guilty. The judge will hear evidence, make rulings on matters of law, and determine the facts of the case. In a jury trial, a jury of 12 people, randomly selected from the community, are present to determine whether the accused is guilty or innocent. The jury also makes a decision on a punishment if the accused is found guilty. A defendant in a criminal case has the right to choose their type of trial. A bench trial is typically preferred by defendants who believe a judge will be more objective and impartial, while some defendants may prefer a jury trial because of the possibility that the jury may be more sympathetic to their case. In Washington, the decision whether a case will be heard as a bench trial or jury trial rests with the judge. Ultimately, the judge will decide whether the case is appropriate for a jury trial based on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the charges, the complexity of the case, the available evidence, and any other relevant factors.

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

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