What is the difference between a judge and a jury?

A judge and a jury are two different entities within the criminal justice system in Virginia. A judge is a neutral decision-maker who is responsible for ensuring that court proceedings are executed in a fair and unbiased manner. Judges are typically appointed or elected to the bench and are knowledgeable about the legal system, laws, and precedents. Their job is to objectively listen to and consider all the evidence presented by both sides, render decisions based on the law, and provide orderly direction to the proceedings. A jury, on the other hand, is a group of individuals from the community who are selected to serve in a trial. The jury is responsible for determining a defendant’s guilt or innocence in a criminal case. To achieve this, they review the facts and evidence presented by both sides, hear the testimony of witnesses, and are ultimately responsible for deciding the final verdict of a trial. The jury, unlike a judge, is composed of citizens who are not familiar with the legal system and who typically do not have a legal background.

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What is the difference between a judge and a jury?

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