Judge

Judges preside over court cases. They interpret the law as it relates to legal proceedings and makes decisions at trial, such as how much an accused’s bail will be set at and if certain pieces of evidence are admissible.

From the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to Judge Judy, every Judge is bound by the highest ethical standards. It’s your job to ensure hearings are conducted fairly, listen closely to attorneys presenting cases, and settle disputes.

One of your most important duties is to hold pre-trial hearings to determine if a trial will take place at all. At the hearing, you will listen to allegations from both sides, analyze evidence, and issue your opinion on the merits of the case.

If a trial moves ahead with a jury, you act as its advisor. If some of the jurors are having trouble understanding a legal concept, you clarify it for them. If a piece of testimony is stricken from the record, you explain to them that they must not take that information into account when deciding guilt or innocence. In cases where no jury is present, you will determine if the defendant is guilty and hand down his or her sentence.

As a judge, you are expected to be impartial but also human. In cases where guilty parties were abused or forced into their crimes, you can show leniency in the hope the defendants will seek guidance. On the other hand, you can enforce the strictest penalties available to offenders who commit particularly heinous crimes.