Bench vs. Jury Trials in Hall County

When most people think of a trial, they assume jury trial. However, there are many times when you will have a bench trial. It is important to know the difference and which one would be more advantageous to your situation. If you have been arrested for DUI or a DUI-related crime, you should contact our DUI Attorneys in Hall County as soon as possible. We will walk you through your options and advise you on what is best for your case. Call now if you have any questions or want to hire Georgia's top DUI defense lawyers.

What is the Difference Between a Bench and Jury Trial in Georgia?

A bench trial is where a judge decides if you are innocent or guilty. In Hall County State Court or the Municipal Courts, you will have a bench trial for your DUI charge unless you or your Hall County DUI Lawyer request a jury trial. If your case began in Municipal or State Court, your attorney must request a transfer to Superior Court to have a jury trial. In a jury trial, your case you will have either 6 or 12 jurors that decide your guilt or innocence.

There are pros and cons to each type of trial which is why it is critical you discuss what would be the most beneficial for your case with one of our Gainesville DUI Lawyers.

Bench trials generally tend to result in a faster resolution of the case, are less formal, and your attorney just has to convince the judge of your innocence instead of a whole jury. On the other hand, having just one person deciding your case can be a con because the judge is well versed in the legal rules and is less likely to be swayed by emotions. 

In regards to jury trials, juries tend to be easier audiences than a judge. Your attorney will be able to appeal to their emotions while judges are less prone to make a decision based on emotion. In addition, your fate doesn't lie with just 1 person. However, jury trials can take longer and result in higher costs to you. There is no way to predict how long a trial can take and that is something you have to take into consideration.

Do I Have to Have a Trial?

The simple answer is no. Most cases are settled without you even having to go to court. Our Hall County DUI Lawyers are proficient in negotiating pleas outside of court to save you the stress of going to trial.

Contact Us Today

Our 50 combined years of experience has made us experts in obtaining great outcomes for our clients. Whether your case can be resolved through negotiation or requires your Hall County DUI Attorney to take your case to trial, trust you will receive a successful outcome in your case. We will walk you through all your options so you can make an informed decision about your case. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation.