{"id":369051,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/legal-system\/what-is-a-judges-role-in-court.html"},"modified":"2024-04-16T09:18:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T14:18:01","slug":"what-is-a-judges-role-in-court","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/legal-system\/what-is-a-judges-role-in-court.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Judge’s Role in Court?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is a Judge's Role in Court?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Most people know that a judge presides over court proceedings. But the judge’s role changes based on your case type. It also depends on the court your case is in.<\/p>\r\n

In a bench trial, where the judge acts as the trier of fact, the parties only have to convince the judge that they should win the case. In a jury trial, the jury decides who wins in the dispute. The judge’s role in the proceeding changes based on whether it is a bench or jury trial.<\/p>\r\n

This article first describes a judge’s general roles and duties in a trial. It then describes the differences between a bench and a jury trial. Specifically, it explains how the judge’s role differs between the different types of court proceedings. It also briefly describes judges’ roles on appeal.<\/p>\r\n

What Does a Judge Do?<\/h2>\r\n

A judge has several roles during a court proceeding. These roles and duties help to ensure a fair trial for all parties. This section describes a judge’s most important roles and duties in all court cases. These roles and duties apply in civil and criminal cases and in state and federal courts.<\/p>\r\n

Ensure Proper Decorum<\/h3>\r\n

One of the judiciary’s roles is to ensure that all parties, attorneys, and witnesses follow proper courtroom decorum<\/a>. Although this doesn’t sound particularly exciting, proper decorum is essential in the legal system because it helps ensure the parties get a fair trial<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Ensuring proper decorum means everyone involved in the proceeding respects the legal system and judiciary. While specific rules of decorum may vary by jurisdiction, some universal rules of decorum include the following:<\/p>\r\n