The practice of a circuit court judge was for them to ride around the countryside each year to hear cases.
Depending on your state? Usually most states Circuit court consists of a judge and jury.
In a court of law, the final decision is typically made by the judge if it is a bench trial (no jury). In cases with a jury, the final decision is made collectively by the jury based on the evidence presented and the law as instructed by the judge.
The Judge as Well as The Jury.
The Supreme Court of Virginia. Appellate courts do not try cases, but review procedure, so no jury is needed.
The Virginia General District Court does not have juries; it typically handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and civil cases involving claims up to $25,000. Cases in this court are decided by a judge rather than a jury. For cases that require a jury trial, parties can appeal to the Circuit Court.
A circuit court may reverse the decision of a trial judge if it finds that there was a legal error that significantly affected the outcome of the case. This can include improper admission or exclusion of evidence, incorrect jury instructions, or a misinterpretation of the law. Additionally, if the trial judge's decisions were arbitrary or capricious, the circuit court may intervene. Ultimately, the appellate court evaluates whether the trial court's ruling was consistent with legal standards and principles.
Customarily, judge only.
If a case reaches court, both sides present their story (or their 'evidence') before a judge or a jury. The outcome is then decided by the judge or jury.
Judge/Jury
No. All federal circuit trial courts hear both jury and bench trials.
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals judges are appointed for life and can only be removed via impeachment.
Yes, in some cases, a judge can overrule a jury's decision in a court case. This is known as a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) or a directed verdict. The judge may do this if they believe the jury's decision is not supported by the evidence presented during the trial.