Which of the following best describes a bench trial?

A bench trial is characterized by the involvement of a judge who takes on the role of the sole decision-maker in the case. In this setting, the judge evaluates the evidence, hears the arguments from both parties, and ultimately renders a verdict without the involvement of a jury. This type of trial is often preferred in cases where legal issues are more complex or when the parties want a quicker resolution without the jury process.

In contrast, the other options are not accurate descriptions of a bench trial. A bench trial specifically requires the presence of a judge, which rules out the idea of a trial conducted without a judge. Additionally, while a jury is a central component of many trials, bench trials are distinguished precisely by their lack of a jury, as the judge independently makes the final decision. Finally, the notion that bench trials are limited to minor offenses is misleading; they can occur in both minor and serious cases, depending on the preferences of the defendants or the legal context.