BENCH TRIAL - Also called court
trial. A bench trial is another term for a trial before
a judge only without a jury. In general, the parties
begin with the presentation of evidence, although
in some cases they make opening statements. After
the plaintiff finishes presenting his evidence, the
defendant presents her case. After the defendant concludes
her presentation, the plaintiff may rebut the defendant's
case. Rarely are closing arguments made. The judge
may rule immediately, but more often takes anywhere
from a few hours to a few weeks to consider the evidence
and reach a decision.
