judge question.. pretty easy?

Question

why do judges need to remain neutral in a trial?

Answer 1

In a jury trial, the facts are supposed to be decided by the jury based on the evidence. The judge needs to stay neutral to avoid giving the appearance to the jury that he has come to a conclusion about what they should find.

In a bench trial (one tried to the judge alone without a jury), judges tend to be a little less neutral and a little more vocal about parties beating dead horses, etc.

In both cases, decisions are reviewable on appeal. If the judge seems to be making rulings based on favoritism for one party (as opposed to a decision based on the law and the evidence), that can be grounds for the decision at trial being reversed.

Answer 2

Because only through their neutrality can the parties involved get a fair trial. If the judge was biased on one side -- the other side wouldn't have a chance in he** of doing anything.

Answer 3

Judges are never really neutral...they just do their best not to let their biases show.

If they didn't do that, the losing party would always be able to use "the judge was biased!" as grounds for appeal.

Answer 4

To render impartial judgments.

Example; 2 men commit the same murder. One is white, one is black. The judge does not like black people. Punishment for white person is 20 years while punishment for the black is life. Judges can't deviate from the law because of bias. It's highly illegal, unfair and unjust.

Understand?

Answer 5

Because they are not advocates. Their job is to rule on legal issues, and if it is a bench trial to also make findings of fact that are fair to both sides.

Answer 6

Because they rule on the points of law. The jury decides guilt or innocence.