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

A jury trial is a type of court process in which a group of jurors decide the verdict of a case, while a bench trial is a process in which a judge alone decides the verdict of a case. In Massachusetts, the right to a jury trial is provided by the state constitution. In a jury trial, a whole group of people come together to hear the evidence presented by both sides, long with any witnesses or experts that are called to the stand. The jury listens to the arguments from both sides, reviews all the evidence, and follows the instructions that the judge provides for them. The jury may then deliberate and discuss the case amongst itself, and ultimately, if the jurors can agree, a verdict is reached. In a bench trial, however, there is no jury. Instead, the judge listens to all the evidence and arguments, reviews any relevant documents, and makes the ultimate decision regarding the verdict. Bench trials often take less time than jury trials, as the same person is responsible for both considering the facts of the case and deciding on a verdict. Regardless of which type of trial you have in Massachusetts, you always have the right to have an attorney present to represent you. Both jury trials and bench trials can be an effective way to resolve disputes, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.

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

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