Which trials are tried in front of a judge, and which are tried in front of a jury?

Question

I awlays wondered- why are some trials tried in front of a judge, and some tried in front of a jury?

Can a judge really overturn the decision of a jury if he doesn't agree with their verdict?

Answer 1

A Judge can not overturn the decision of the jury. Every trial can be a jury trial but that can be waived. If you know the DA can not prove his case and/or you have a surprise that will absolutely blow his case apart and you are positively not guilty it is better to waive a jury trial and get it over and done with. If you are guilty then you want a jury trial.

Answer 2

everyone gets the choice to go before a judge or a jurry...  the default is trial by jury but the defendant can opt to have a the case decided by a judge (there is a judge present at every trial though)

if the case is decided by a jury, no the judge cannot overturn that decision.  he can, however, decide the sentencing.  the jury sometimes will make a suggestion, but the judge is who gets the final decision in sentencing.

the defendent, if found guilty, can try to appeal the verdict to try to get it overturned.  i think though, another jury would be used.

Answer 3

By and large, it is a choice! Jury verdict is 'guilty or not guilty', the sentence is for the judge to pronounce! (read a lot of John Grisham, Henry Cecil and Perry Mason: quite interesting, fast reading, and you get to learn something about judiciary!)