Jury Trial Fee In Pennsylvania
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A bench trial is a trial before a judge without a jury.
With a non-jury trial, the Judge replaces the jury and makes a decision about whether or not to find you guilty or not-guilty. Non-jury trials typically resolve more quickly than jury trials.
In order to ask for IFP status, you must file a "PETITION AND AFFIDAVIT TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS" with the Court, in which you give the Judge detailed information about your financial situation. The required form is attached to these instructions, along with a form order for the Judge.
Non-jury trials are generally more efficient, with the trial duration often measured in days or weeks rather than months.
In order to ask for IFP status, you must file a "PETITION AND AFFIDAVIT TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS" with the Court, in which you give the Judge detailed information about your financial situation. The required form is attached to these instructions, along with a form order for the Judge.
Predictable Outcomes: Judges' decisions are generally more predictable than those of a jury, in which emotions or personal biases can sway. If, for example, you're assigned a judge with a record of showing leniency for mitigating circumstances, your attorney might recommend waiving the jury trial.
If a trial is held without a jury's involvement, the judge hears all witness testimonies and attorney arguments and determines the outcome of the case based upon the law.
What's the difference between a Jury Trial and a Court Trial? In a jury trial, the decision of guilt or innocence is decided by either 6 or 12 citizens who listen to the evidence and make the decision. In a court trial, there is no jury present. The judge listens to the evidence and makes the decision.
