Do judges regret their decisions?
Asked by: Prof. Rosanna Williamson I | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (32 votes)
Yes, judges often regret their decisions due to factors like harsh outcomes for families, technicalities leading to dismissals, or the heavy burden of sentencing, with studies showing nearly 80% have regretted a ruling; this regret stems from the immense responsibility and the human element, leading to emotional tolls and questioning their role, though managing these feelings is part of their challenging job.
Do judges ever regret their decisions?
Several judges said they regretted rulings that they knew were correct according to the law but left them feeling dissatisfied with the result. “I feel that I've always taken the time and care necessary to rule in the way I think is correct at the time. So I don't regret any rulings in that sense,” wrote one judge.
Can a judge reverse their own decision?
The request for reconsideration must clearly show an error of fact or law material to the decision. The Judge may also reconsider a decision on his or her own initiative.
Can judges be held accountable for their decisions?
Yes, judges can be held accountable for decisions through mechanisms like appeals, judicial ethics committees, impeachment, and elections (for some states), but they have significant judicial immunity protecting them from civil lawsuits for official acts, making accountability challenging, especially for federal judges. Accountability focuses more on ethical breaches, bias, or misconduct rather than disagreements with a ruling, as decisions are generally protected, but serious misconduct can lead to censure, removal, or pension forfeiture.
Does a judge decide guilt?
Defendants have a right to a jury trial, which means a jury listens to both sides present their case and then decides if the defendant is guilty or not. If the defendant wants, they can ask for a judge to decide instead.
Judges Huge Mistake - Switzerland Got Talent - Incredible Performance
What is the hardest case to win in court?
The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
What not to tell a judge?
You should not say anything sarcastic, interrupt the judge, lie, use slang, make personal attacks on others, guarantee outcomes, or speak about things not relevant to the case; instead, remain respectful, address the judge as "Your Honor," answer only the question asked, and be direct and truthful to maintain credibility.
Who has more power than a judge?
While judges hold significant authority in court, others wield different forms of power, including Legislators (Congress) who make laws judges interpret, the President who enforces them and appoints judges, Prosecutors (DAs) who heavily influence case outcomes through charging decisions, and even Juries who determine facts, all operating within a system of checks and balances where power is distributed, not absolute.
Has anyone ever successfully sued a judge?
Notable Case Examples. For instance, there was a case where a federal judge was successfully sued for sexual harassment – an act considered outside his official duties. Another example involved a judge who was sued for defamation after making false statements about an attorney during a press conference.
What if I disagree with the judge's decision?
The Court of Appeals can reverse the judgment if it determines the outcome of the trial was not supported by the evidence presented at trial or if the judge made a legal error, such as misinterpreting or misapplying the law.
Who can overrule a judge?
Only appellate justices have the power to overturn another judge's ruling.
Is it legal to flip off a judge?
But No, You Can't Flip Off a Judge
File this one right above flipping off the cops on the Bad Idea Checklist. We don't know why you'd want to anger a judge presiding over your case, but you should know your free speech protections are curbed in court, by a little thing called contempt.
Can you sue a judge for their decision?
In essence, absolute immunity provides these officials with freedom from lawsuits, allowing them to invoke this protection through pretrial motions. For instance, judges and judicial officers in California enjoy a broad scope of absolute immunity that remains intact, even in light of the state's tort claims act.
Who has more power, a judge or a DA?
A District Attorney (DA) often wields more practical power in shaping criminal case outcomes than a judge, as DAs decide whether to file charges, what charges to file, and influence plea bargains and sentences, while judges primarily ensure legal fairness and have final say on sentencing, though their discretion can be limited by mandatory minimums, shifting power to prosecutors. Judges oversee proceedings and rule on legal matters, but the vast majority of cases end in plea deals where the prosecutor's initial charging decisions and plea offers are paramount.
What do judges dislike?
In this article, we have listed five things that annoy judges which self-reps must try to avoid.
- When you put yourself in the argument. ...
- Asking the judge if he or she has read the material. ...
- Looking and being casual. ...
- Stop making about on everything. ...
- Being nasty is a case killer.
Why can't you talk back to a judge?
rule banning ex parte communications ensures that the court process is fair and that all parties have the same information as the judge who will be deciding the case. When all parties have the same information, a party who disagrees with the information can contest it in court.
Who is more powerful, a judge or a magistrate?
A judge is generally more powerful than a magistrate, as judges handle more serious cases (felonies, major civil disputes) and have broader authority, while magistrates focus on less complex matters (misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, small claims) and have limited jurisdiction, often acting as a support to judges in managing heavy caseloads. Judges interpret laws, make binding decisions, and oversee the entire court process, whereas magistrates resolve simpler issues or handle specific procedural tasks, with their decisions sometimes subject to judicial review.
Has anyone successfully defended himself in court?
Technically, yes, but it's sporadic. While a few individuals have successfully represented themselves, most who try end up facing serious disadvantages in court. The law is complex, the stakes are high, and one mistake can change your future.
Can a judge be punished in India?
A sitting judge of a High Court or the Supreme Court can be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, but only with prior sanction from the Chief Justice of India. While a judge can be considered a public servant for a corruption case to be registered against him, the sanction must come from the CJI.
What's better, a jury or a judge?
Emotional Appeals – Juries are often more sympathetic to defendants who claim unfair prosecution or mitigating circumstances. Multiple Defendants – Judges may be better at compartmentalizing evidence against different co-defendants, reducing the risk of guilt by association.
Are judges more powerful than lawyers?
A judge has more inherent power in the courtroom because they are the impartial referee, controlling proceedings, ruling on evidence, instructing juries, and issuing sentences, while a lawyer's power comes from advocacy for their client, operating within the judge's established rules. However, the prosecutor often wields significant influence (sometimes seen as almost equal to the judge) through charging decisions, shifting the power balance in practice, say some sources.
Who is the most powerful person in a courtroom?
While the Judge holds significant authority within the courtroom by managing proceedings, ruling on evidence, and ensuring order, the Prosecutor is often considered the single most powerful figure in the U.S. criminal justice system because they decide whether to file charges, what charges to bring, and influence plea bargains, ultimately controlling the case's direction and potential outcomes more than the judge can.
What makes you look bad in court?
Dress Like You Are Going to Church
No low necklines, shorts, stiletto heels, tight jeans (actually, avoid jeans altogether), or sleeveless shirts. If you are wearing a button-up shirt, make sure it is fully buttoned and wear an undershirt or, if it is cool out, a sweater.
How to impress a judge in court?
To impress a judge, be prepared, respectful, and credible by dressing appropriately, arriving early, knowing your case thoroughly, staying calm and polite (using "Your Honor"), speaking clearly and directly, avoiding exaggeration or opinion, and showing active engagement through note-taking. Judges value clarity, honesty, and efficiency, so provide easy-to-understand facts and solutions rather than emotional outbursts or unrequested details, allowing your attorney to handle communication.
What is the B word for lawyer?
The "B word" for a lawyer, especially in the UK and Commonwealth countries, is Barrister, which refers to a specialist lawyer who argues cases in higher courts, distinct from a solicitor, though other terms like Attorney, Counsel, or even the pejorative "ambulance chaser" can be used, while "Esquire" (Esq.) is a title for any licensed lawyer in the U.S.