Will a jury decide your injury case filed in Maryland district court? This question was asked of me by an individual I had the opportunity to speak with while at my office. Essentially this person was looking to get information on how a jury would view his injury case that was filed in district court.
After reading this Maryland medical malpractice educational article, it is my hope that you have a better understanding of this issue. In addition, you should be able to understand the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial.
BENCH TRIAL VS. JURY TRIAL, IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
If you have watched TV or sat in on a trial in real life you have more than likely seen a jury trial. When we are describing a jury trial, a jury will be the ones who determine the facts of the case. So, this means that the jury will be charged with applying the law, which is given to them by a judge, to the facts of the case. This is a key role of a jury.
The judge in a jury trial, on the other hand, will for focus on the legal issues which present themselves in a jury trial. For example, if an objection comes up during the trial the judge will rule on this objection, not the jury.
In a bench trial, the judge plays the role of not only a fact finder, but also the role of the decider of law. A judge in a bench trial will play both roles because there is no jury to decide the facts.
WILL A JURY DECIDE YOUR INJURY CASE FILED IN MARYLAND DISTRICT COURT?
The answer to the question of will a jury decide your injury case filed in Maryland district court is no. A jury will not decide the case.
When an injury case is filed in district court a judge will decide the case. As mentioned above, the plaintiff in a district court filing will have a bench trial, if the case goes the distance (not settled before hand).
DO YOU HAVE MORE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE QUESTIONS?
If you have suffered an injury while in the care of a doctor or hospital and the injury happened here in Maryland, this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and give me a call.
I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer medical malpractice and birth injury questions like yours all the time and I would be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle
Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
