Judges are elected or appointed officials who act as impartial decision-makers in the pursuit of justice. They apply the law to court cases by overseeing legal proceedings in courts, ruling on questions of law, and facilitating negotiations between opposing parties. When judges are not in the courtroom, they can be found in their chambers doing legal research, looking over cases, and supervising other court staff. Judges commonly preside over trials or hearings of cases regarding nearly every aspect of society, from individual traffic offences to issues concerning the rights of large corporations. They listen to arguments and determine whether the evidence presented deserves a trial.
Judges interpret the law to determine how a trial will proceed, which is particularly important when unusual circumstances arise for which standard procedures have not been established. They ensure that hearings and trials are conducted fairly and the legal rights of all involved parties are protected. In trials in which juries are selected to decide the case, judges instruct jurors on applicable laws and direct them to consider the facts from the evidence. For other trials, judges decide the case.
