1. Lack of conformity; nonconformity. 2. Geology A surface between successive strata representing a missing interval in the geologic record of time, and produced either by an interruption in deposition or by the erosion of depositionally continuous strata followed by renewed deposition.
Trial Courts. In trial courts, witnesses are heard, testimony is received, exhibits are offered into evidence, and a verdict is rendered. The trial court structure in Texas has several different levels, each level handling different types of cases, with some overlap.
What is a bench trial? A bench trial is a trial in which there is no jury. Instead, the entire case is presented directly to the judge. In most state courts, a civil law trial will be a bench trial unless the plaintiff or defendant requests a jury trial specifically. In most criminal cases, however, the defendant will receive a jury trial unless he or she specifically asks for a bench trial.