This is a Complaint pleading for use in litigation of the title matter. Adapt this form to comply with your facts and circumstances, and with your specific state law. Not recommended for use by non-attorneys.
This is a Complaint pleading for use in litigation of the title matter. Adapt this form to comply with your facts and circumstances, and with your specific state law. Not recommended for use by non-attorneys.
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.
Demand: A party may demand a jury trial on any issue triable of right by a jury by serving the other parties with a written demand, which must be filed no later than 14 days after the last pleading directed to the issue. This demand must be specific about the issues that the party wants tried by a jury.
There are several reasons why it may be better to settle a case rather than going to trial. Trials are expensive. Trials are stressful. Liability and damages are difficult to determine when your case is decided by a judge or jury.
Felonies, being the more serious category of crime, almost always qualify for a jury trial due to the potential for severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. Misdemeanors, while still serious, often carry less severe punishments and, as a result, may not always necessitate a jury trial.
Trials are expensive, with legal fees, court costs, and expenses for gathering evidence and hiring expert witnesses adding up quickly. Trials also take a lot of time. Settling means you can avoid these costs and get compensated faster, which provides much-needed financial relief without prolonged legal battles.
The most common reasons for not going to trial and settling cases without trial are (i) judicial efficiency; (ii) prosecutorial efficiency; and (iii) mitigating sentencing for the defendant.
Why do so many civil cases settle out of court and never go to trial? Because trials can be expensive and take a long time. No side is guaranteed to win( in most cases) and by settling both parties have a say in the outcome.
At a defendant's arraignment, if they enter a "not guilty" plea, there will be several pretrial trial proceedings designed to resolve the case. If a plea bargain is not reached, then the case will proceed to trial.
Any party may demand a trial by jury of any issue triable of right by a jury by (1) serving upon the other parties a demand therefor in writing at any time after the commencement of the action and not later than 10 days after the service of the last pleading directed to such issue, and (2) filing the demand as required ...