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

A jury trial and a bench trial are two different ways of having a legal dispute decided in the state of Michigan. A jury trial involves members of the community who are chosen to listen to evidence and ultimately decide the verdict in the case. This jury is usually made up of six people, referred to as “jurors.” A bench trial, on the other hand, involves a judge making the decision instead of a jury. The judge will evaluate the evidence presented in court and make a ruling based on that evidence. The main difference between a jury trial and a bench trial is that a jury trial involves members of the community deciding the outcome of a legal dispute and a bench trial involves a judge deciding the outcome. Jury trials often take longer than bench trials because evidence needs to be presented to the jury, whereas the judge has already heard the evidence in the case in a bench trial. Additionally, jury trials are more expensive than bench trials because the jury needs to be paid for their time. Ultimately, the decision of whether to have a jury trial or a bench trial lies with the parties involved in the legal dispute. If both parties agree to have a bench trial, then the judge will make the final decision in the case. If either or both parties want to have a jury trial, then a jury will be chosen, and they will decide the outcome.

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

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