What defines a bench trial?

A bench trial is defined as a legal proceeding where a judge serves as the sole decision-maker, determining guilt or innocence without the involvement of a jury. This type of trial is often preferred in cases where legal issues are complex, and the judge's expertise is deemed sufficient to make an informed ruling.

In a bench trial, the judge has the responsibility to assess the evidence presented, apply the law, and render a verdict based solely on the information provided during the proceedings. This contrasts with a jury trial, where a group of citizens evaluates the evidence and decides the verdict.

The other options do not accurately represent the nature of a bench trial. In bench trials, evidence is not presented to a jury, and it does not occur without legal representation, as parties typically have lawyers to advocate for them. Additionally, a bench trial is conducted in front of a single judge rather than a panel of judges, which further distinguishes it from other types of judicial proceedings.