What is the difference between a judge and a jury?

The difference between a judge and a jury in Washington is a very important one. A judge is an individual lawyer appointed by the state to preside over a court. The judge’s job is to keep the proceedings in order, ensure that the legal process is conducted properly, and make rulings on questions of law. The judge also delivers the official judgement (or verdict) in criminal cases. A jury is a group of people who serve as fact-finders. The jury’s primary role is to listen to the evidence presented during a trial and decide whether the charged individual is guilty or innocent. In other words, the jury determines the facts of the case and delivers a verdict based on their impressions of the witnesses and the evidence presented. The jury’s decision is binding upon the court and judge. In Washington, the judge has final say over the verdict as well as control over the legal proceedings. The jury’s role is to only to listen to the evidence and give an opinion on the case. It is then up to the judge to make the final ruling.

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