How long does it take for a judge to make a decision?

Asked by: Ms. Bessie McLaughlin  |  Last update: April 22, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (11 votes)

After the hearing, the decision of the judge can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This period depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the judge's workload, and the need for additional evidence or expert opinions.

How long does it take to hear back from a judge?

Unfortunately this depends on the number of requests the court receives. It could take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

Why do judges take so long to make decisions?

There are many factors that can contribute to the length of time it takes for a judge to render a ruling. These include the complexity of the case, the number of documents and evidence that must be reviewed, the amount of legal research that must be done, and the availability of the judge.

How long does it take a judge to make a decision on custody?

Post-Trial Decisions

Once the trial wraps up, the judge's decision is typically issued within 3 to 6 months, and in some cases, it may take even longer. This post-trial period allows the judge to thoroughly review the evidence presented and finalize the decision in writing.

How long after a trial does a judge have to make a decision?

As long as it takes. Sometimes the judge announces the court's decision immediately. Sometimes it takes months. In my experience, most judges announce their decision immediately or within 24 hours.

When can a Judge make a decision?

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Who can override a judge's decision?

The court of appeals may review the factual findings made by the trial court or agency, but generally may overturn a decision on factual grounds only if the findings were “clearly erroneous.”

What affects a judge's decision?

Judicial decision-making, while structured around legal principles and evidence, is also subtly shaped by the psychological makeup of the judges themselves. Cognitive biases, personal beliefs, and even a judge's own life experiences can inadvertently affect their interpretation of the law and evidence.

How do most custody battles end?

Some courts have mediation programs, and others require you to find an outside mediator. The court will choose your mediator if you and the other parent cannot agree. If you reach an agreement, you can file it with the court to end your case. If you don't agree, the court process will continue.

Who are the best witnesses for a custody case?

Picking good witnesses, like family, coaches, doctors, social workers, psychologists, counselors, or the kids' school personnel, can help a lot. They can tell the court about the kids' circumstances and what's in their best interest.

What looks bad in a custody battle?

Bad-mouthing your ex-spouse or engaging in verbal or physical altercations with them in front of a judge looks bad. If your children are present, it looks even worse. Judges understand that tempers run high during custody cases, but lack of self-control will not reflect favorably.

What is the lazy judge rule?

If the court fails to rule, on a motion of a party, commonly referred to as the Lazy Judge rule, the case may be withdrawn from the trial court judge and transferred to the Supreme Court for assignment to a Special Judge to decide. In most cases, it is not prudent or wise to file a lazy judge motion.

Why do judges delay cases?

The court has a large amount of discretion in scheduling matters and given the limited resources of our judicial system, it is not surprising that delays happen. Also contributing to the traffic jams in our courts are the sheer number of cases and the shortage of judges.

What is it called when a judge makes a decision?

The judge's decision (called the judgment) will be on the Notice of Entry of Judgment (forms SC-130 or SC-200). The judgment will say if the defendant or the plaintiff owe money and how much.

Can you talk back to a judge?

Under the Judicial Code of Conduct, judges may not permit or consider “ex parte communications” in deciding a case unless expressly allowed by law. This ban helps judges decide cases fairly since their decisions are based only on the evidence and arguments presented to the court and the applicable law.

How long will a judge give you to find a lawyer?

Yes, a judge will give you a reasonable amount of time, to retain counsel. Nothing is set in stone but a few weeks or up to 30 days would be reasonable, to find a local criminal defense attorney.

How long after a judge approves disability?

Generally, within two to three months after your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will make a decision on your claim. If you are approved, you should expect another two to three months for the decision to be processed before you start receiving your checks.

What is the biggest mistake in custody battle?

The Most Common Mistakes Made in California Child Custody Cases. Failing to respond to a child custody case will not make the issue go away. Instead, it could lead to a default judgment. This means that whatever the other party is requesting will most likely be granted by the judge because you have not given any input.

How do you show the court you are a good parent?

You can prove to the courts that you are a parent who acts in the best interests of the child by establishing that:
  1. You can provide the child with ideal living conditions.
  2. You are attentive to the child's needs and preferences.
  3. You are fair to the other parent.

Who wins most child custody cases?

It is true that mothers typically HAVE custody of their children, but that's mostly because the men take off. Statistically, in the US, when a man asks for shared custody, he gets it, and in cases where men go to court to get full custody, they get it a majority of the time.

Who is more likely to win a custody battle?

Mothers historically have won more custody battles due to traditional roles and perceptions of mothers as the primary caregivers. However, this trend is changing as courts increasingly focus on the best interests of the child, considering many factors beyond traditional roles.

Why do men lose custody battles?

Primary Caregiver Presumption: Most times at the point of a separation fathers defer to the mother as the primary caregiver. This ends up putting them at a disadvantage because courts often presume the parent who has been the primary caregiver is better suited for custody.

How long does the custody process take?

Without taking into account the time consumed by state-specific regulation and court-related procedures, a custody battle can take: Between 1–2 weeks and 10 months (if the battle is low-conflict) Between 12 months and 3 years (if the case goes to trial and/or the battle is high-conflict)

What do judges consider when deciding a case?

The trial judge's decisionmaking must determine what are the facts and the proper application of the law to these facts. To bring order to the confusion of contested facts and theories of law, the trial judge decides cases by hypothesis or a series of tentative hypotheses increasing in certainty.

What are 3 factors that a judge takes into consideration when sentencing?

How Does a California Judge Decide on a Sentence?
  • the convicted offender's previous criminal convictions, if any.
  • the convicted offender's remorse or lack of remorse.
  • the amount and type of harm suffered by the victim or victims.
  • whether the crime involved any alcohol, drugs, firearms, or minors.