Conversation so far:
when can a case be heard only by a judge
Many states have a threshold that the alleged damages must meet in order to give the plaintiff the right to request a jury, also known as the “amount in controversy.”
what are the advantages of a case being heard only by a judge
If you elect to have your case before a judge instead of a jury, you will not have to make an opening statement or go through jury selection.
what are the disadvantages of a case being heard only by a judge
A case with riveting facts is often a better candidate for a jury trial. The jury may also sympathize with the defendant in a criminal case.
what is the average length for a case
Jury trials generally take at least three days to complete, and can go as long as many months. The average length of a trial is between four to five days.

Question: do i need a lawyer
Self-contained rewrite: do i need a lawyer for a case