I don't think it gives pct a leg up but I do think it's easier to convince one judge who sees things every day VS getting a room of jurors who would have limited to no exposure to this sort of case to agree unanimously. I'll leave it at that. I would think if pct had a slam dunk case they'd be happy to have a judge hear it.
I think it's more a stalling tactic than anything else though. I really don't think it gives anyone an edge so to speak, but it does give pct more time.