Judge vs. Justice: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on June 14, 2024
A judge is an individual who presides over court cases, while justice refers to the fair and equitable treatment under the law.
Key Differences
A judge is a person who makes decisions in a court, interpreting and applying the law. Justice, on the other hand, is an abstract concept that signifies fairness, equity, and the rule of law.
A judge typically presides over legal proceedings, ensuring that trials and hearings are conducted properly. Justice, however, is the desired outcome of these legal proceedings, aiming for righteous and impartial decisions.
While a judge acts in a specific role within the judicial system, often handling cases, giving rulings, and making legal decisions, justice represents the overarching goal of the entire legal system—to provide fair treatment to all.
A judge can be perceived in terms of their rulings, their impartiality, and their expertise in the law. Justice, on the other hand, is often perceived as a measure of the effectiveness of the legal system and the satisfaction of the people with legal outcomes.
The word "judge" can also be used as a verb, meaning to form an opinion or conclusion about something or someone. "Justice" often refers to the quality of being just or fair and can be used to describe the legal system or societal ideals.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual who presides over court cases
The fair and equitable treatment under the law
Role
Makes decisions in court, interpreting and applying the law
Represents fairness, equity, and the rule of law
Nature
Person within the judicial system
Abstract concept or ideal
Associated Terms
Bench, magistrate, jurist
Fairness, equity, righteousness
Grammatical Use
Can be used as both a noun and a verb
Primarily used as a noun
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Judge and Justice Definitions
Judge
A person appointed to decide in any competition or matter in dispute.
The judge ruled in favor of the defendant.
Justice
A judge of the Supreme Court or other high court.
Justice Smith wrote a compelling dissenting opinion.
Judge
An official with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law.
The judge listened intently to the witness's testimony.
Justice
Just behavior or treatment.
The organization advocates for justice in housing rights.
Judge
A person able or qualified to give an opinion on something.
She's a good judge of character.
Justice
Moral rightness based on ethics, law, and equity.
He fought for justice and equality for all.
Judge
To form an opinion or conclusion about.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Justice
The quality of being just or fair.
Justice was served when the criminal was sentenced.
Judge
To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration
Judge heights.
Judging character.
Justice
The quality of being just; fairness
In the interest of justice, we should treat everyone the same.
Judge
(Law) To hear and decide on in a court of law
Judge a case.
Justice
The principle of moral rightness; decency.
Judge
To pass sentence on; condemn.
Justice
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness
Argued for the justice of his cause.
Judge
To act as one appointed to decide the winners of
Judge an essay contest.
Justice
The attainment of what is just, especially that which is fair, moral, right, merited, or in accordance with law
My client has not received justice in this hearing.
Judge
To determine or declare after consideration or deliberation
Most people judged him negligent in performing his duties as a parent.
Justice
(Law) The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law
We seek justice in this matter from the court.
Judge
(Informal) To have as an opinion or assumption; suppose
I judge you're right.
Justice
The administration, system, methods, or procedures of law
A conspiracy to obstruct justice.
A miscarriage of justice.
Judge
(Bible) To govern; rule. Used of an ancient Israelite leader.
Justice
Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.
Judge
To form an opinion or evaluation.
Justice
Abbr. J.(Law) A judge on the highest court of a government, such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.
Judge
To act or decide as a judge.
Justice
The state or characteristic of being just or fair.
The justice of a description
Judge
One who makes estimates as to worth, quality, or fitness
A good judge of used cars.
A poor judge of character.
Justice
The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.
Justice was served.
Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases brought in court.
Justice
Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.
To demand justice
Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases or matters in a forum other than a court, such as an administrative proceeding.
Justice
The civil power dealing with law.
Ministry of Justice
The justice system
Judge
One appointed to decide the winners of a contest or competition.
Justice
A title given to judges of certain courts; capitalized when placed before a name.
Mr. Justice Krever presides over the appellate court
Judge
A leader of the Israelites during a period of about 400 years between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul.
Justice
Correctness, conforming to reality or rules.
Judge
Judges (used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.
Justice
The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.
Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne.
The king-becoming graces,As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, . . . I have no relish of them.
Judge
A public official whose duty it is to administer the law, especially by presiding over trials and rendering judgments; a justice.
Justice
Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.
Judge
A person who decides the fate of someone or something that has been called into question.
Justice
The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.
This even-handed justiceCommends the ingredients of our poisoned chaliceTo our own lips.
Judge
A person officiating at a sports event, a contest, or similar.
At a boxing match, the decision of the judges is final.
Justice
Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
Judge
A person who evaluates something or forms an opinion.
She is a good judge of wine.
They say he is a poor judge of character considering all the unreliable friends he has made.
Justice
A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.
Judge
A shophet, a temporary leader appointed in times of crisis in ancient Israel.
Justice
To administer justice to.
Judge
(transitive) To sit in judgment on; to pass sentence on (a person or matter).
A higher power will judge you after you are dead.
Justice
The quality of being just or fair
Judge
(intransitive) To sit in judgment, to act as judge.
Justices in this country judge without appeal.
Justice
The administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments;
Justice deferred is justice denied
Judge
(transitive) To judicially rule or determine.
Justice
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
Judge
To sentence to punishment, to judicially condemn.
He was judged to die for his crimes.
Justice
The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870
Judge
To award judicially; to adjudge.
Justice
The administration of the law, especially the establishment of right.
The justice system aims to protect the innocent.
Judge
(transitive) To form an opinion on; to appraise.
I judge a man’s character by the cut of his suit.
Judge
To constitute a fitting appraisal or criterion of; to provide a basis for forming an opinion on.
Judge
(intransitive) To arbitrate; to pass opinion on something, especially to settle a dispute etc.
We cannot both be right: you must judge between us.
Judge
(transitive) To have as an opinion; to consider, suppose.
I judge it safe to leave the house once again.
Judge
(ambitransitive) To form an opinion; to infer.
I judge from the sky that it might rain later.
Judge
(ambitransitive) To criticize or label another person or thing.
Judge
(ambitransitive) To govern as biblical judge or shophet (over some jurisdiction).
Judge
A public officer who is invested with authority to hear and determine litigated causes, and to administer justice between parties in courts held for that purpose.
The parts of a judge in hearing are four: to direct the evidence; to moderate length, repetition, or impertinency of speech; to recapitulate, select, and collate the material points of that which hath been said; and to give the rule or sentence.
Judge
One who has skill, knowledge, or experience, sufficient to decide on the merits of a question, or on the quality or value of anything; one who discerns properties or relations with skill and readiness; a connoisseur; an expert; a critic.
A man who is no judge of law may be a good judge of poetry, or eloquence, or of the merits of a painting.
Judge
A person appointed to decide in a trial of skill, speed, etc., between two or more parties; an umpire; as, a judge in a horse race.
Judge
One of the supreme magistrates, with both civil and military powers, who governed Israel for more than four hundred years.
Judge
The title of the seventh book of the Old Testament; the Book of Judges.
Judge
To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to decide as a judge; to give judgment; to pass sentence.
The Lord judge between thee and me.
Father, who art judgeOf all things made, and judgest only right!
Judge
To compare facts or ideas, and perceive their relations and attributes, and thus distinguish truth from falsehood; to determine; to discern; to distinguish; to form an opinion about.
Judge not according to the appearance.
She is wise if I can judge of her.
Judge
To hear and determine by authority, as a case before a court, or a controversy between two parties.
Judge
To examine and pass sentence on; to try; to doom.
God shall judge the righteous and the wicked.
To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness,And to be judged by him.
Judge
To arrogate judicial authority over; to sit in judgment upon; to be censorious toward.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Judge
To determine upon or deliberation; to esteem; to think; to reckon.
If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord.
Judge
To exercise the functions of a magistrate over; to govern.
Make us a king to judge us.
Judge
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
Judge
An authority who is able to estimate worth or quality
Judge
Determine the result of (a competition)
Judge
Form an opinion of or pass judgment on;
I cannot judge some works of modern art
Judge
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
Judge
Pronounce judgment on;
They labeled him unfit to work here
Judge
Put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of;
The football star was tried for the murder of his wife
The judge tried both father and son in separate trials
Judge
A leader or ruler with total authority in a specific area.
He acted as the judge of the small community.
FAQs
What does a judge do?
A judge presides over court cases, making decisions based on the law.
What is the goal of justice?
The goal of justice is to ensure fairness, equity, and righteous treatment under the law.
Is every judge called a justice?
No, but justices are judges, often in higher courts like the Supreme Court.
How is a judge appointed?
In the U.S., federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Why is justice important?
Justice ensures that individuals are treated fairly and equitably, promoting social harmony.
Can judges make law?
Judges interpret and apply the law, and their decisions can set precedents, effectively shaping the law.
How long does a judge serve?
It varies; some judges are appointed for life, while others serve fixed terms or until mandatory retirement.
What is the difference between criminal and civil justice?
Criminal justice deals with crimes, while civil justice handles disputes between individuals or entities.
Can a judge be biased?
Ideally, a judge should be impartial, but humans can have biases; judicial ethics emphasize neutrality.
What is poetic justice?
It's when someone experiences a fitting or deserved retribution for their actions.
Are all decisions by a judge final?
No, many decisions can be appealed to a higher court.
How is justice symbolized?
Often by scales, representing balance and fairness.
How can one become a judge?
Typically, by having a legal background, years of experience, and then being appointed or elected.
Can you challenge a judge's decision?
Yes, through an appeals process.
What's a miscarriage of justice?
It's when an individual is wrongly convicted or unfairly treated by the judicial system.
What's restorative justice?
A system focused on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims.
Do judges always work alone?
No, in some cases, especially appellate courts, judges work in panels.
What is social justice?
It refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities in society.
What is blind justice?
It symbolizes impartiality, suggesting that justice should be meted out without bias or prejudice.
Who ensures justice in a society?
The legal system, including judges, lawyers, and the laws themselves, work toward ensuring justice.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
