[RaginRak]

why do we have jury trials anymore if judges can do what they want

[Sasparilla]

Ever since there has been a Justice system in the USA, and ever since the have been Courts of Appeal, everyone convicted of a crime by a jury has been entitled to a full round of Appeals, all the way up to SCOTUS, if they take the case. Although not criminal matters, we got the Heller and McDonald decisions on winning Appeals.
Although it has flaws, the US judicial system is the best in the world.

[digger48]

why do we have jury trials anymore if judges can do what they want

Or a Congress or a Presidnet

[Governor Dinwiddie]

#10: "why do we have jury trials anymore if judges can do what they want."

True, and its corollary:

"why do we have jury trials elections anymore if judges can do what they want."