 "A
bench trial is a trial where the judge is the sole fact-finder;
that is, the judge alone makes a decision on the merits of your
case after both sides have presented evidence. A jury trial is a
trial where 12 jurors (randomly selected citizens from Peoria
County) listen to the evidence and make the decision on your
case. Jury trials are held on specific days in Traffic Court and
the oldest cases and most serious cases are heard first. On the
jury trial day only one case can be heard. This means that
people on the jury call often come back for several jury calls
before their case works its way to the top of the docket. Bench
trials are held each day of the week and all cases set on the
bench trial docket may be heard the day they are set. The States
Attorney Office cannot advise persons on which type of trial
they should choose. Clearly, however, a bench trial can be set
and heard more quickly than a jury trial." Source
Peoria
County
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