When you’ve been accused of criminal wrongdoing and have been formally charged, you have the right to take your case to trial to be heard and decided by a jury of your peers. That said, you don’t have to have a jury trial. In fact, in some instances it may be better to request a bench trial, which is where the evidence is heard and the case is ultimately decided by the judge.
When is a bench trial your best option?
There are several circumstances under which a bench trial may give you an edge. This includes:
- When the case is riddled with technicalities, both legal and factual, that may be better understood by the judge rather than by a jury.
- When the facts of your case contain an emotional aspect and you believe that the judge is less likely to be base their opinion on those points.
- When you’re concerned that bias in the public may taint how your case is viewed by a jury.
- When the matter contains complicated facts that may be difficult for a jury to decipher.
- When you want to resolve your case more quickly.
- When your research shows that the judge tends to issue rulings that are favorable to positions similar to yours.
Keep in mind that a bench trial isn’t right for every situation, so be sure to discuss the circumstances of your case with your criminal defense attorney so that you can make a decision that’s right for you.
Know how to craft a compelling criminal defense
There are a lot of moving pieces to a criminal case and to building a criminal defense. You have to know how to effectively navigate it all if you want to maximize your chances of achieving the outcome you want. That’s why now is the time to start developing your legal strategy.