Do all trials have to be public?

Is Judge Judy a real judge or just a TV judge?

#3—Judge Judy acts as an arbitrator, not a judge.

Judge Judy is actually a retired judge serving as an arbitrator, rendering decisions as opposed to legal judgments. Arbitration is an alternative to litigation which is a dispute that is heard in a court.

At what point does a lawsuit become public?

A lawsuit becomes public record as soon as it's filed in court. That means anyone can look up the basic details. If the case goes to trial, even more info—like filings, testimony, and verdicts—becomes part of the public record.

Who appointed more judges, Trump or Obama?

While President Obama appointed more judges overall (around 330-334) across his two terms compared to Donald Trump's single term (around 226-245), Trump appointed a higher proportion of powerful appellate court judges and more Supreme Court justices (three vs. Obama's two), significantly shifting the courts' ideological balance, especially the circuit courts. 

How long do court trials last per day?

Depending on the trial judge, the trial schedule will run from 9:00 - 5:00 with 2-15 minute breaks and an hour lunch or the trial will run from 8:30 to 2:30 with 2-20 minute breaks and no lunch. Occasionally, a trial will extend past 5:00 pm in order, for example, to complete a line of testimony.

Can you see local court cases online?

Yes, you can often watch local court cases online, especially for remote hearings or high-interest matters, usually through court-provided streams on platforms like YouTube or Zoom, but access varies by state and case type, with criminal cases often restricted; you'll typically find links on your state or county court's website. 

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, complex evidence, or specific defenses like insanity, with sexual assault, crimes against children, and white-collar crimes frequently cited as challenging due to juror bias, weak physical evidence, or technical complexity. The insanity defense is notoriously difficult because it shifts the burden of proof and faces public skepticism. 

What does the 27th Amendment actually say?

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise that takes effect immediately; they have to wait until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve. It was originally proposed in 1789 by James Madison but wasn't ratified until 1992, making it the last ratified amendment, with a long history due to its lack of a time limit for ratification.
 

Are private trials a thing?

A private trial most closely resembles an actual court trial and procedurally they are virtually identical. The main difference is that in a private trial, the parties have agreed to an individual, usually a retired judge, to sit as a “temporary judge” and render a decision.

Can a judge refuse to allow anyone to view a trial?

As the reader may well know, the United States Constitution (and the California Constitution) guarantee a criminal defendant the right to a public trial.

Can you refuse a trial?

State criminal trials – Most states allow defendants to waive a jury trial, although they usually require that the judge and/or prosecutor approve the request. A few allow an absolute right to a waiver without permitting a veto from the court or opposing counsel.

Why are some court cases private?

Some examples: Courts sometimes seal documents that contain sensitive material, such as classified information affecting national security or information involving trade secrets. Criminal case documents and hearing transcripts are sometimes sealed to protect cooperating witnesses from retaliation.

Do you go to jail after a trial?

If a defendant goes to court on their own, enters a plea of no contest or guilty with the prosecution, and is then given a sentence to jail, then they are going to go to jail immediately almost 100% of the time.

What happens if I fall asleep during jury duty?

If you fall asleep during jury duty, a court officer or the judge will likely wake you up, and you could be dismissed from the jury for inattentiveness, potentially leading to a mistrial if you miss crucial evidence, though minor dozing might just result in a warning, while repeated sleeping is grounds for removal and requires a judge to decide if the trial fairness was compromised. 

What are the 5 stages of trial?

The Trial

• Opening Statements. Every trial proceeds in basically the same way. ...
• Presenting the Prosecution/Plaintiff's Evidence. Opening statements are followed by the case-in-chief. ...
• Presenting the Defense's Evidence. ...
• Closing Arguments. ...
• The Jury's Verdict.

How many judges has Biden approved?

The total number of Article III judges nominated by Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate was 235, including one associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 45 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 187 judges for the United States district courts and two judges for the United States ...

Can a Supreme Court justice be removed?

The Constitution states that Justices "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." This means that the Justices hold office as long as they choose and can only be removed from office by impeachment. Has a Justice ever been impeached? The only Justice to be impeached was Associate Justice Samuel Chase in 1805.

How much do Supreme Court justices make?

As of early 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice earns around $317,500, while Associate Justices earn about $303,600, with slight variations depending on the source and specific effective date, reflecting annual adjustments set by Congress. These figures represent significant increases over recent years, with salaries rising from the $274,200 (Associate) and $286,700 (Chief) in 2022. 

Why would a court case not be public?

Courts close cases to the public to protect national security, witness safety, fair trial rights, and sensitive information, especially in cases involving minors, trade secrets, or ongoing investigations, ensuring justice isn't compromised by public exposure or intimidation. Reasons include protecting informants, preventing retaliation, shielding graphic/sensitive evidence, and maintaining the integrity of juveniles and family matters. 

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?

Unlike the popular myth of the “seven-year rule,” conviction records do not automatically expire or disappear from your criminal history after any specific time period. Your criminal record is maintained at multiple levels within the justice system.

Can you still sue someone after 2 years?

You might still be able to sue after two years, but it depends heavily on the type of case, your location (state), and potential exceptions, as most personal injury claims have a two-year limit, but others (like contract breaches, fraud, or claims against the government) have different deadlines, and rules can pause or extend the clock for minors or hidden injuries. Missing the deadline usually means losing your right to sue, so consulting a lawyer immediately is crucial to understand your specific situation.