{"id":368994,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/going-to-court\/judge-versus-jury-trials.html"},"modified":"2026-08-18T15:18:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T20:18:41","slug":"judge-versus-jury-trials","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/judge-versus-jury-trials.html","title":{"rendered":"Judge vs. Jury Trials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Judge vs. Jury Trials<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/hannah-hilst\/\">Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            August 18, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <ul>\n<li>The judge or jury determines the <span data-term-id=\"59600068\">verdict<\/span>, or formal decision, in a criminal trial or civil litigation.<\/li>\n<li>In a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>, the assigned judge decides the case. In a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>, parties choose citizens to serve as jurors who will decide the case.<\/li>\n<li>Whether one type of trial is better than the other depends on the strategy for your particular case.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The ability to decide the outcome of a court case is a powerful responsibility. If you\u2019re heading to court, you\u2019ll want to know whether the people who decide your case will be fair to you.<\/p>\n<p>There are important differences between bench and <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trials<\/span>, whether you represent yourself or have an attorney. Before you decide between the types of trials, it\u2019s a good idea to consult a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trial attorney<\/a> to discuss how each option may influence your case.<\/p>\n<h2>Do All Court Cases Have a Jury?<\/h2>\n<p>No, though most <span data-term-id=\"59600070\">criminal cases<\/span> offer the <span data-term-id=\"59600086\">constitutional right<\/span> to a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>. When a case goes to trial, the parties sometimes have a choice between a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span> or a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>. Not all types of cases have this option. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/small-claims-court.html\">Small claims<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/juvenile-justice\/how-do-juvenile-proceedings-differ-from-adult-criminal-proceeding.html\">juvenile <span data-term-id=\"59600070\">criminal cases<\/span><\/a> do not have <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trials<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>In a <span data-term-id=\"59600070\">criminal case<\/span>, the defendant has the right to waive a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>, but the state must agree if the defendant wants a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>. If a defendant prefers a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>, the state will accept it.<\/p>\n<h2>Court Decisions in a <span data-term-id=\"59600070\">Criminal Case<\/span> vs. a <span data-term-id=\"59600074\">Civil Case<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Deciding between a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span> and a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span> can depend on what you must prove in the case.<\/p>\n<p>In a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-trial.html\">criminal trial<\/a>, the prosecution has the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/what-is-the-burden-of-proof-in-a-criminal-case.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600079\">burden of proof<\/span><\/a>. Whether the case is a felony or a <span data-term-id=\"59600081\">misdemeanor<\/span>, the prosecution must show the defendant committed the crime <span data-term-id=\"59600080\">beyond a reasonable doubt<\/span>. This is a very high bar. A <span data-term-id=\"59600083\">criminal defense attorney<\/span> has no <span data-term-id=\"59600079\">burden of proof<\/span> but must refute elements of the prosecution\u2019s case.<\/p>\n<p>In a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/the-differences-between-a-criminal-case-and-a-civil-case.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600073\">civil trial<\/span><\/a>, the plaintiff has the <span data-term-id=\"59600079\">burden of proof<\/span>. The standard is a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/standards-of-proof-in-civil-cases-preponderance-of-evidence-and-clear-and-convincing-evidence.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600089\">preponderance of evidence<\/span><\/a>,&#8221; meaning more likely than not, or about 51%. A civil defense lawyer may need to disprove parts of the plaintiff\u2019s case and prove the defendant\u2019s side of the case.<\/p>\n<h2><span data-term-id=\"59600067\">Bench Trials<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a\u00a0<span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/what-is-a-judges-role-in-court.html\">judge decides the facts<\/a> of the case. Otherwise, the case proceeds just as it would in a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/self-representation.html\">Self-representing parties<\/a> may find it easier to present a case before a judge than a jury because they will have fewer eyes watching them.<\/p>\n<p>In a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>, you avoid\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/how-are-potential-jurors-selected.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600069\">jury selection<\/span> (<span data-term-id=\"59600072\">voir dire<\/span>)<\/a>, making an <span data-term-id=\"59600087\">opening statement<\/span> before a jury, and <span data-term-id=\"59600088\">closing arguments<\/span> for the jurors. These can be intimidating for someone unfamiliar with court procedures.<\/p>\n<h3>Pros of a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">Bench Trial<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The advantages of a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span> are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Judges know the law.<\/strong>\u00a0There is less need to walk judges through every step of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/civil-cases-the-basics.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600074\">civil case<\/span><\/a> or criminal trial since they know how attorneys establish their cases.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Judges are less likely to be biased.<\/strong>\u00a0Especially in <span data-term-id=\"59600074\">civil cases<\/span>, judges have little reason to be predisposed to one side or the other. Judges must put aside personal opinions and focus on the facts in the case.<\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-term-id=\"59600067\">Bench trials<\/span> go faster.<\/strong>\u00a0Since judges need less explanation, civil litigation moves more quickly when presented to a judge than when presented to a jury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Cons of a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">Bench Trial<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The downsides to a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span> are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Judges know <em>all <\/em>the law.\u00a0<\/strong>Although judges may loosen rules of evidence in a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>, they will not abandon them. They give self-represented (<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/pro-se.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pro se<\/a>) litigants what help they can in court but will not bend the rules of criminal or <span data-term-id=\"59600084\">civil procedure<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Criminal defendants may feel very alone in a <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span>.\u00a0<\/strong>Judges often begin in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-legal-help\/district-attorneys.html\">prosecutor\u2019s or DA\u2019s office<\/a>. With police, prosecutors, and the judge, a pro se criminal defendant must be sure of the outcome if they plan to defend themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span data-term-id=\"59600066\">Jury Trials<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/rules-regarding-your-jury-trial.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span><\/a>, the <span data-term-id=\"59600069\">jury selection<\/span> process identifies six to 12 jurors, plus alternates, to decide your case. <span data-term-id=\"59600069\">Jury selection<\/span>, or <span data-term-id=\"59600072\">voir dire<\/span>, is time-consuming in the <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span> process. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/should-you-represent-yourself-in-court.html\">Self-represented litigants<\/a> should get legal advice during <span data-term-id=\"59600072\">voir dire<\/span> since it is a complicated procedure for the layperson.<\/p>\n<p><span data-term-id=\"59600066\">Jury trials<\/span> are not a guaranteed part of the civil court process. In a <span data-term-id=\"59600073\">civil trial<\/span>, at least one party must pay for the jurors and make the initial deposit on the case.<\/p>\n<p>In a criminal matter, the state pays for the jurors. The courts presume defendants want a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>, and defendants must waive their <span data-term-id=\"59600086\">constitutional right<\/span> to a jury. The judge or the state can deny the waiver because a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span> is so important in a <span data-term-id=\"59600070\">criminal case<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3>Pros of a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">Jury Trial<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The advantages of a trial by jury include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jurors don\u2019t know all the rules.<\/strong>\u00a0Although the judge and opposing counsel can prevent improper evidence and questions from getting through, they cannot catch all of them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jurors listen to their emotions.<\/strong>\u00a0In <span data-term-id=\"59600073\">civil trials<\/span>, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/what-happens-at-trial.html\"><span data-term-id=\"59600095\">personal injury cases<\/span><\/a>, having a sympathetic jury can be helpful for pro se litigants. <span data-term-id=\"59600085\">Emotional appeals<\/span> may be more effective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Cons of a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">Jury Trial<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The disadvantages for some defendants include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jurors can react to emotions or bias.<\/strong>\u00a0Criminal defendants charged with gruesome crimes may fare poorly with juries, as may unsympathetic parties in <span data-term-id=\"59600074\">civil cases<\/span>, such as corporations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jurors don\u2019t know the law.\u00a0<\/strong>They must have legal issues explained in careful detail, a task often beyond the ability of pro se litigants.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The court process for <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trials<\/span> includes <span data-term-id=\"59600072\">voir dire<\/span> at the beginning and <span data-term-id=\"59600071\">jury instructions<\/span> at the end.\u00a0<\/strong>These are legally dense procedures that need help from a professional.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jurors can add to the cost of civil litigation.<\/strong> Criminal defendants don\u2019t have to pay this expense, but civil litigants do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How To Decide Between a Judge or Jury in Your Case<\/h2>\n<p>You and your lawyer may consider factors such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The complexity of the technicalities, laws, or <span data-term-id=\"59600090\">legal defenses<\/span> in your case<\/li>\n<li>Whether your case involves a powerful emotional component versus strict <span data-term-id=\"59600077\">legal arguments<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Whether you might be likely to face bias<\/li>\n<li>How quickly you want a resolution for your dispute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The choice between a jury or <span data-term-id=\"59600067\">bench trial<\/span> is one of many impactful decisions you\u2019ll need to make during a court case. Having a clear strategy behind these decisions may help raise your likelihood of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/ten-court-tips-how-to-survive-your-day-in-court.html\">winning the case<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Can I Choose the Judge or Jurors for My Trial?<\/h2>\n<p>While you can choose jurors in the <span data-term-id=\"59600069\">jury selection<\/span> process, you can\u2019t pick a judge in a similar way. The state \u2014 not the parties \u2014 selects judges.<\/p>\n<p>At the start of a <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">jury trial<\/span>, the court will assemble a pool of potential jurors. It will call eligible community members to attend the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscourts.gov\/court-programs\/jury-service\/juror-selection-process\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"59600069\">jury selection<\/span> process<\/a>. Each side can question them to assess potential bias or conflict. You may reject jurors due to an explainable cause. You also have a limited number of <span data-term-id=\"59600093\">peremptory challenges<\/span>, which is when you reject a juror without explaining the reason.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/how-are-judges-selected.html\">government appoints judges<\/a> to their position in court. Judges have already been approved to serve as a decisionmaker in the courtroom based on their knowledge of the law and legal system. Therefore, litigants and criminal defendants generally would not need to scrutinize whether a judge will be fair and impartial before every trial. Rather, they may address any specific <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-a-judge.html\">concerns about a judge<\/a> through recusal, disqualification, or appeal.<\/p>\n<p>Courts assign judges to cases according to their own assignment systems. The plaintiff, prosecutor, or defendant can\u2019t ask the court to assign a particular judge to their case.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, multiple courts may have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/personal-jurisdiction-how-to-determine-where-a-person-can-be.html\">jurisdiction over a case<\/a>. While you still can\u2019t choose the judge themselves, you may have reasons why one court may be more favorable for you. You may choose to file in a particular court or motion to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/what-is-a-motion-for-change-of-venue.html\">change the venue<\/a> as appropriate.<\/p>\n<h2><span data-term-id=\"59600066\">Jury Trial<\/span> Procedure<\/h2>\n<p>After <span data-term-id=\"59600069\">jury selection<\/span>, the trial court will allow each side to make an <span data-term-id=\"59600087\">opening statement<\/span>. The <span data-term-id=\"59600087\">opening statement<\/span> often consists of each side telling the jury what the case will show. The counsels\u00a0present the\u00a0facts of the case and introduce factual issues at stake, following the rules of evidence.<\/p>\n<p>After the <span data-term-id=\"59600087\">opening statement<\/span>, one of the parties, usually the plaintiff, will begin\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/case.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>their case-in-chief<\/u><\/a>. This is the central part of the case in which both parties introduce evidence through witnesses or written documentation. The defendant also presents their case in chief.<\/p>\n<p>After each party completes its case-in-chief, each party may\u00a0introduce\u00a0rebuttal testimony. Rebuttal evidence is any evidence admitted by the court. Parties often use rebuttal evidence to refute the evidence previously presented or acknowledged by the other party. It is much more limited in scope than the evidence presented in a case-in-chief.<\/p>\n<p>Once both sides have finished presenting all their evidence, each attorney will make a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legalblogs\/strategist\/how-to-write-a-great-closing-to-your-brief\/\"><u><span data-term-id=\"59600088\">closing argument<\/span><\/u><\/a>. This is the last chance for the attorneys to address the jury. The <span data-term-id=\"59600088\">closing argument<\/span> is where the attorney summarizes the facts of the case, evidence, and testimonies. It is where attorneys can attempt to crush opposing statements.<\/p>\n<h3>Jury <span data-term-id=\"59600068\">Verdict<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before or after the attorneys\u2019 <span data-term-id=\"59600088\">closing arguments<\/span>, the judge will provide\u00a0instructions to the jury. These\u00a0instructions often contain guidelines on applicable laws as applied to the issues of fact in the case. The jury will use the judge\u2019s instructions to arrive at a <span data-term-id=\"59600068\">verdict<\/span>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When rendering a <span data-term-id=\"59600068\">verdict<\/span>, the jurors should keep an open mind and consider evidence from all sides. They\u00a0must pay attention to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/2240.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>degree of proof<\/u><\/a>\u00a0required for the court to reach a <span data-term-id=\"59600068\">verdict<\/span>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In criminal trials, the prosecution must prove the defendant guilty <span data-term-id=\"59600080\">beyond a reasonable doubt<\/span>. In a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/civil-cases-the-basics.html\"><u><span data-term-id=\"59600074\">civil case<\/span>,<\/u><\/a>\u00a0a party has to prove a charge by a <span data-term-id=\"59600089\">preponderance of evidence<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3>Court Etiquette During <span data-term-id=\"59600066\">Jury Trial<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Because the outcome of your trial can depend on what kind of impression the jurors have of you, it is crucial to adhere to specific\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/your-conduct-in-court-can-affect-your-case.html\"><u>court rules<\/u><\/a>\u00a0to make sure everyone in the courtroom has the most favorable opinion of you. Do your best to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Be on time<\/strong>:\u00a0Many judges and juries consider it rude if you are late. You must be prompt\u00a0in the mornings and return on time\u00a0from breaks and lunch.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Communicate with notes<\/strong>:\u00a0Use handwritten notes when communicating with your attorney. Talking during a trial may be distracting for the jury, the judge, and your attorney.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stand up when the judge and jury enter or leave the courtroom<\/strong>:\u00a0This is a long-held rule of courtesy and respect.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No eating, drinking, or chewing gum<\/strong>:\u00a0Most judges prohibit any eating or drinking inside the courtroom. Keep\u00a0food and drinks outside the courtroom before and after breaks. Judges consider chewing gum disrespectful and it\u00a0can look bad in front of a jury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Understanding the rules of law and trial procedures allows you to be mindful of the process and ensure a fair <span data-term-id=\"59600068\">verdict<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h2>When You Need an Attorney<\/h2>\n<p>If you need help understanding the legal process and rules of evidence, you should have an attorney represent you at trial. You should have an attorney in any court case where your liberty is at stake. If you have <span data-term-id=\"59600075\">legal questions<\/span> about a civil or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-term-id=\"59600070\">criminal case<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and need a trial lawyer, contact a criminal or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">civil attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                       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class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can represent you in trial\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex court cases (such as contract disputes, real estate, family law, personal injury, or employment) generally need the support of an attorney\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer can help you decide whether a jury or judge may be a more favorable option for your case\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>The court process for many cases, such as intellectual property or probate, can be complicated and slow. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes during litigation.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL34\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n               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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Compare the pros and cons of jury trials and bench trials for civil and criminal cases. FindLaw explains when to seek legal advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":368979,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["SEO Title Length","External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned"]},"categories":[2803],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-368994","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-litigation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/368994","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=368994"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/368994\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":402729,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/368994\/revisions\/402729"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/368979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=368994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=368994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=368994"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=368994"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=368994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}