Understanding Business and Personal Law

Chapter 34: Buying a Home

Career Information

Criminal Court Judge
When the judge enters the courtroom wearing his or her robes, everyone is asked to rise. Judges command respect and they actually determine the manner in which the trial will proceed based on their interpretation of the law. The most observable responsibility of a judge is to preside over a trial or hearing and listen as attorneys represent the parties present. Judges rule on the admissibility of evidence and the methods the attorneys will use to obtain testimony. In criminal cases, judges may decide that the person charged with the crime should be held in jail pending his or her trial, or they may set conditions for release.

Explore: Using a recent criminal case, research the judge who presided over it. Find out what impact the judge had on the outcome of the case.