In California civil cases, a bench trial is a trial in which the judge, rather than a jury, serves as the factfinder and makes the final determination on the issues of law and fact. This is in contrast to a jury trial, where a panel of jurors listens to the evidence and renders a verdict. Bench trials are common in cases where the parties waive their right to a jury trial, either because the legal issues are complex and better suited for a judge’s expertise or because both parties agree to proceed without a jury. In a bench trial, the judge determines the credibility of the witnesses, evaluates the evidence, and applies the law to make a final ruling in the case.
One of the main advantages of a bench trial is that it tends to be faster and less costly than a jury trial, as there are no jury instructions or jury deliberations. Bench trials can also provide more predictable outcomes, especially in cases that involve specialized knowledge, since the judge is generally better equipped to understand complex legal or technical issues. However, the absence of a jury means there is less opportunity for the emotional appeal of the case to sway the outcome, and the judge’s decision is typically final unless an appeal is filed. A bench trial still follows many of the same procedural rules as a jury trial, but with a judge taking on the responsibility of both deciding the facts and applying the law.
