Why might avoiding a jury trial be in the best inertest of one or both parties invovled?

Because it might prevent the involvement of sentiments.

Explanation:

It should be understood that , to serve on a jury or be on a jury means sitting down with a group of people who'll decide on the facts of a criminal or civil case.

The role of the jury is that, the jury listens to the evidence during a trial, decides what facts the evidence has established, and draws inferences from those facts to form the basis for their decision.

The only reason why the jury system might be considered as good is when they are doing what they are supposed to do. But , in some cases sentiments might influence their decision, This is usually , when the majority have interest in one of the claimant or defendant.

And this is the reason why , the judge trial is considered to be better when compared to the jury trial.