bench trial

A trial before a judge without a jury. • The judge decides questions of fact as well as questions of law. — Also termed trial to the bench; nonjury trial; court trial; trial before the court (abbr. TBC); judge trial. [Cases: Criminal Law 247–260.13; Federal Civil Procedure 2251; Trial 367–387. C.J.S. Trial §§ 1018–1072.]