Legal Definitions - court trial

A court trial, also known as a bench trial, is a type of legal proceeding where a judge decides the facts of a case and applies the law. Unlike a jury trial, there is no jury present in a court trial.

In a court trial, the judge listens to the evidence presented by both sides and makes a decision based on the law and the facts of the case. For example, if someone is accused of stealing a car, a court trial would involve the judge hearing testimony from witnesses and examining any physical evidence. The judge would then decide whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty of the crime.

It is important to note that in the United States, a defendant has the right to a trial by jury under the Sixth Amendment. However, there are certain circumstances where a court trial may be used instead. For example, if the defendant waives their right to a jury trial, the trial will be conducted by a judge alone.