For landlords in Los Angeles, navigating an eviction — formally known as an unlawful detainer — has never been more complicated. Once considered a relatively straightforward process, today’s cases are increasingly drawn out by new tenant protections, expanded Right to Counsel programs, and procedural tactics designed to delay.

One of the most significant and misunderstood of these tactics is the tenant’s request for a jury trial. While jury trials are legal and constitutional, they are often used strategically — not necessarily to resolve a genuine dispute, but to stall the process, extend possession, and pressure landlords into costly settlements.

This guide explains what happens when tenants demand jury trials, how these requests intersect with Los Angeles’s Right to Counsel initiatives, and what landlords can do to protect their property and minimize loss.

The Legal Right to a Jury Trial in Eviction Cases

Yes, tenants do have the right to request a jury trial in an eviction case. In California, this right stems from the state constitution, but it must be properly invoked by:

• Filing a formal demand for a jury trial with the court,
• Paying the required jury fee (or obtaining a waiver), and
• Complying with all procedural deadlines.

When requested, a case that might normally resolve in three to four weeks can suddenly extend to three to six months or more, depending on court backlog, discovery disputes, and trial availability.

Why Tenants Request Jury Trials

Not all tenants request a jury trial because they intend to fight the eviction on the merits. More often, the jury demand serves as a delay tactic within a broader strategy to slow the landlord’s ability to regain possession.

Common motivations include:

• Delaying eviction to remain in the property longer without paying rent.
• Forcing settlement by increasing the landlord’s legal expenses.
• Buying time to relocate or secure new housing.
• Gaining jury sympathy, especially in cases involving alleged retaliation, discrimination, or habitability issues.

The practical outcome for landlords: extended loss of rental income, higher legal fees, and mounting frustration.

How Los Angeles’s Right to Counsel Program Complicates the Process

The City of Los Angeles has implemented a Right to Counsel program that provides tenants with free or low-cost legal representation in eviction cases. While well-intentioned, this initiative has made the eviction process more adversarial and time-consuming for landlords.

Here’s how:

1. Aggressive Litigation Tactics: Tenant attorneys frequently file amended answers, demurrers, and motions to strike, forcing continuances and multiple court appearances.
2. Extensive Discovery: Requests for depositions, interrogatories, and document production can drag simple cases into months of litigation.
3. Trial Delays: The presence of counsel increases the likelihood of a jury trial demand, further delaying resolution.
4. Increased Costs: Even when a landlord has a strong case, the cost of responding to procedural maneuvers often outweighs the rent owed.

Landlord Reality: A case that should take 60-90 days can easily stretch past 120 days under Los Angeles’s current system, particularly when tenants are represented and using procedural tools strategically.