Can you call a female judge Your Honor?
Asked by: Prof. Velma Kuhlman II | Last update: November 4, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)
In person: In an interview, social event, or in court, address a judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge [last name].” If you are more familiar with the judge, you may call her just “Judge.” In any context, avoid “Sir” or “Ma'am.”
Who can be called your honor?
Your Honor is the traditional way to address a judge . It is used as a sign of respect. The honorific typically appears in court proceedings. The term is sometimes controversial, as some see it as a title of “ nobility ” that places them above the general public.
How do you address a female judge in a letter?
You can address the judge to “The Honorable First Name Last Name” or “Judge First Name Last Name” or “Judge Last Name.” It is redundant to say “Honorable Judge” so use either “Judge” or “Honorable.”
Can a judge be a woman?
Women justices on the California Supreme Court and on the state's appellate courts are regularly reviewing and ruling on fundamental principles of law. Their decisions will have a deep and long-standing impact on both the profession and the general public.
What is the difference between honor and judge?
Your Honor is a respectful way to address a judge in court. It is the traditional way to show respect to a judge. For example, when a lawyer is speaking to a judge in court, they would say "Your Honor" instead of using the judge's name. During a trial, the lawyer said, "Your Honor, I object to the witness's testimony."
Secrets to Speaking to the Judge - Your Honor
Do you call a female judge your honor?
In person: In an interview, social event, or in court, address a judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge [last name].” If you are more familiar with the judge, you may call her just “Judge.” In any context, avoid “Sir” or “Ma'am.” Special Titles.
Why do judges insist on being called your honor?
The phrase your honor meaning is a sign of respect. It is one of several common lawyer phrases in court. The 'your honor' definition per Oxford Dictionary is “high respect; great esteem” and “a title of respect given to or used in addressing a judge or a mayor”.
What is the name of the only female judge?
Deborah was a prophet, poet, and the only female judge of Israel named in the Old Testament. Legend states that based on a vision, she called up General Barak and the forces of Israel to battle against the Canaanite general Sisera.
What are the names of the female judges?
- Amy Coney Barrett. Associate Justice. Appointed by Trump. Joined the Court on 10/27/20. ...
- Elena Kagan. Associate Justice. Appointed by Obama. Joined the Court on 08/08/10. ...
- Sonia Sotomayor. Associate Justice. Appointed by Obama. ...
- Ketanji Brown Jackson. Associate Justice. Appointed by Biden.
Are female judges more lenient?
In criminal cases, defendants may be happy to hear that the female judge in front of them is likely to be more lenient during sentencing than a male judge.
What not to say to a judge?
- 'I Did It. ' ...
- 'They Didn't Tell Me...' ...
- Expletives. ...
- Lies, Lies, Lies. ...
- 'I Will Represent Myself.
Do I have to say your honor in court?
DON'T speak in the courtroom during a court proceeding. DO remember the bathrooms are located on the second floor near the elevators. DON'T bring heavy backpacks or totes into the Courthouse as this delays the security processes. DO be respectful to the judge; address him or her as "Your Honor" or "Judge."
How do you address a female judge and husband?
On the outer envelope, refer to a Judge by their formal title, "The Honorable," followed by his formal name. Include the spouse's title for a married Judge. If single, drop the spouse's name. Drop the first names of both the Judge and spouse for invitations with an inner envelope.
What can I say instead of your honor?
- lordship. n.
- your grace.
- your ladyship.
- your worship.
- your excellency.
- your lordship.
- your highness.
- your honour.
Who is supposed to be called honorable?
In the United States, government officials who have been elected to public office or are appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate are afford the courtesy title of The Honorable.
Can you say yes sir to a judge?
This will lose you the respect of the judge and the jury. Any lawyer who can make a witness mad will probably cause the witness to exaggerate, appear unobjective, and emotionally unstable. Be sure to answer "Yes Sir/Ma'am" and "No Sir/Ma'am" and to address the judge as "Your Honor. "
Is a female judge called your honor?
In today's environment, it's best to address a judge as “Your Honor.” The title is gender neutral. Respect is respect and isn't gender-based. That the judge is a female is irrelevant.
Who was the greatest female judge?
In 1993, Ginsburg joined the first female on the high court – Justice Sandra Day O'Connor – and served with her until O'Connor retired in 2006. One of Ginsburg's majority opinions considered one of the most significant of her tenure on the court – U.S. v.
What are the 7 judges called?
There are 7 judges (called “justices”) on the Supreme Court, and at least 4 must agree to come to a decision. The 7 justices, 1 Chief Justice and 6 associate justices, are appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, and confirmed by the public at the next general election.
How many female judges are in the Bible?
According to the Book of Judges, Deborah (Hebrew: דְּבוֹרָה, Dəḇōrā) was a prophetess of Judaism, the fourth Judge of pre-monarchic Israel, and the only female judge mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.
Who was the powerful woman in the Bible?
Deborah. Without question, another example of a strong woman in the Bible was Deborah (Judges 4). Serving as an influential judge in Israel before a formal kingship was established, she employed the power of her leadership to unite and bring peace that lasted for forty years.
What was Deborah's sin in the Bible?
There is a tradition that presents Deborah as being guilty of the sin of pride, which led to her loss of the gift of prophecy, while the other traditions speak in her praise, and number her among the twenty-three Israelite women of outstanding righteousness ( Midrash Tadshe, Ozar ha-Midrashim [ed.
Is it illegal to not call a judge Your Honor?
He has a lot of leeway to maintain order in his court, If you are disrespectful, you can be slapped with contempt of court charges, although its the judges call as to what is disrespectful. So its customary for everyone to address the judge as “your honor” which is the proper title.
Do you call a judge Your Honor in a letter?
Outside of the Supreme Court, always use “The Honorable (full name)” in your correspondence. STATE COURTS [Note: States may vary on titles of judges.
Why do judges wear black robes?
The simple black robe has quite a tradition as the "uniform" of justice in the United States and California. That black robe links judges together as we interpret and apply the law in hundreds of courtrooms throughout the state.