Bench trial refers to the type of trial that does not involve a jury but is conducted by the judge alone, in which the judge both decides the facts of the case and applies the law. The word bench in the law is in reference to the judge, so a...
courts and procedure
bench warrant
A bench warrant is a process or a legal document issued by the court itself or from the “bench” for the detainment or arrest of a person in a criminal or civil court proceeding, either in a case of contempt, especially when the criminal...
beneficiary
A beneficiary is an individual who receives benefits from a transaction via a contract (such as an insurance policy), a will, or trust.
Wills and Trusts:A beneficiary is an individual named in a will, revocable trust, or...
best evidence rule
The best evidence rule applies when a party wants to admit the contents of a writing, recording, or photograph at a trial, but that the original is not available. In the event that the original is unavailable, the party must provide a valid...
best interests of the child
The best interests of the child is a court doctrine used in custody proceedings when two parents are contesting custody of the child. Courts use this doctrine to make decisions regarding which parent will have custody of the child, the nature...
bias
A bias is to exhibit a pre-existing inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something.
In the context of evidence in criminal law, bias is used to describe the relationship between a party and a witness which...
biased assimilation
Biased assimilation is the tendency to interpret information in a way that supports a desired conclusion. This tendency leads parties to place undue credibility on evidence that supports that conclusion while also unduly discounting...
bifurcate
Bifurcate, in the legal sense, is the dividing of a case into two stages for trial. A common division is to determine liability or guilt in the first stage and damages or punishment in the second. For example, in criminal proceedings, the...
bifurcated trial
Bifurcated trial means that the trial is conducted in two stages. A common division is to determine liability or guilt in the first stage and damages or penalties in the second. For example, in criminal proceedings, the guilt or innocence of...
bilateral divorce
A bilateral divorce is a divorce proceeding where both parties are subject to the court’s personal jurisdiction. A bilateral divorce does not require both parties to be domiciled where the court is exercising jurisdiction, just that both...