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.

Question: what are the disadvantages
Self-contained rewrite: what are the disadvantages of a case being heard only by a judge