A judge is the official who runs the courtroom. Their job is to rule on legal questions, manage the trial, decide bail and sentencing, and make sure both sides follow the rules. In a jury trial, the judge decides legal issues while the jury decides the facts. In a bench trial, the judge does both.
How Judges Work in California
California Superior Court judges are elected to six-year terms or appointed by the Governor to fill vacancies, governed by Article VI of the California Constitution. They preside over arraignments, motions, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencings. Either side can challenge a judge once as a matter of right under Code of Civil Procedure § 170.6, and either side can also bring a for-cause challenge under § 170.1 when actual bias or conflict exists.
Related Legal Terms
The judge’s role is part of the broader courtroom dynamic that includes voir dire, the role of the jury, and final sentencing — all daily concerns in our criminal defense practice.
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