Judge vs. Justice: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A judge is an official who presides over court proceedings, while justice is the concept of moral rightness and fairness.
Key Differences
A judge is a person appointed or elected to preside over a court, making legal decisions and ensuring fair trials. Justice, on the other hand, is an abstract concept referring to the fair and moral treatment of individuals and the upholding of righteous standards within society.
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Nov 30, 2023
While judges are key players in the legal system, serving as impartial arbiters in disputes, justice represents the ideal outcome of their decisions, aiming for equitable resolutions. Judges operate within the framework of law, but justice is a broader notion, encompassing ethical fairness beyond legal boundaries.
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Nov 30, 2023
The role of a judge involves interpreting and applying the law, often in complex and varied situations. Conversely, justice is the principle that guides these interpretations, seeking to balance rights, responsibilities, and societal good.
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Nov 30, 2023
Judges are tangible and critical components of the judiciary, with their actions directly impacting legal proceedings. Justice, in contrast, is an intangible goal that the legal system strives to achieve, embodying fairness, equity, and moral correctness.
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Nov 30, 2023
In summary, a judge is a specific legal role filled by an individual, while justice is an aspirational goal of the legal system, representing the ethical treatment and fair judgment of all individuals under the law.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An official who oversees court proceedings.
The concept of fairness and moral rightness.
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Role in Legal System
Interprets and applies laws in specific cases.
The guiding principle for legal decisions.
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Function
Makes legal decisions, presides over trials.
Sought as an outcome of legal proceedings.
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Relation to Law
Operates within the legal framework.
Represents the ethical goal of the legal system.
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Judge and Justice Definitions
Judge
An official with authority to hear and decide legal cases.
The judge delivered a verdict after hearing all the evidence.
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Nov 30, 2023
Justice
A judge or magistrate, in particular a judge of the Supreme Court.
Justice Smith was known for her impartial rulings.
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Nov 30, 2023
Judge
Someone who forms an opinion or conclusion about something.
As a judge of character, he could tell she was trustworthy.
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Nov 30, 2023
Justice
Fair behavior or treatment.
The principle of justice demands equality for all.
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Nov 30, 2023
Judge
A public official appointed to decide cases in a law court.
The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible in court.
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Justice
The administration of the law or authority in maintaining this quality.
Justice was served when the corrupt official was convicted.
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Nov 30, 2023
Judge
To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration
Judge heights.
Judging character.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
The principle of moral rightness and equity.
His actions were guided by a strong sense of justice.
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Nov 30, 2023
Justice
The quality of being just; fairness
In the interest of justice, we should treat everyone the same.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To act as one appointed to decide the winners of
Judge an essay contest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness
Argued for the justice of his cause.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To determine or declare after consideration or deliberation
Most people judged him negligent in performing his duties as a parent.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(Informal) To have as an opinion or assumption; suppose
I judge you're right.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
The administration, system, methods, or procedures of law
A conspiracy to obstruct justice.
A miscarriage of justice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
The overcharged customer was angry, and with justice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
Abbr. J.(Law) A judge on the highest court of a government, such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
One who makes estimates as to worth, quality, or fitness
A good judge of used cars.
A poor judge of character.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
The state or characteristic of being just or fair.
The justice of a description
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Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases brought in court.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
The ideal of fairness, impartiality, etc., especially with regard to the punishment of wrongdoing.
Justice was served.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases or matters in a forum other than a court, such as an administrative proceeding.
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Justice
Judgment and punishment of a party who has allegedly wronged another.
To demand justice
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Justice
The civil power dealing with law.
Ministry of Justice
The justice system
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Judge
A leader of the Israelites during a period of about 400 years between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul.
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Justice
A title given to judges of certain courts; capitalized when placed before a name.
Mr. Justice Krever presides over the appellate court
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
A public official whose duty it is to administer the law, especially by presiding over trials and rendering judgments; a justice.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
A person who decides the fate of someone or something that has been called into question.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
A person officiating at a sports event, a contest, or similar.
At a boxing match, the decision of the judges is final.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
A shophet, a temporary leader appointed in times of crisis in ancient Israel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies and administer justice.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(intransitive) To sit in judgment, to act as judge.
Justices in this country judge without appeal.
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Justice
The administration of law; the act of determining rights and assigning rewards or punishments;
Justice deferred is justice denied
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To sentence to punishment, to judicially condemn.
He was judged to die for his crimes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
The United States federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (including the enforcement of all civil rights legislation); created in 1870
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(transitive) To form an opinion on; to appraise.
I judge a man’s character by the cut of his suit.
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Oct 19, 2023
Justice
The quality of being fair and reasonable.
The court's decision restored justice to the wrongfully accused.
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Nov 30, 2023
Judge
To constitute a fitting appraisal or criterion of; to provide a basis for forming an opinion on.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(transitive) To have as an opinion; to consider, suppose.
I judge it safe to leave the house once again.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(ambitransitive) To form an opinion; to infer.
I judge from the sky that it might rain later.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
(ambitransitive) To govern as biblical judge or shophet (over some jurisdiction).
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
One of the supreme magistrates, with both civil and military powers, who governed Israel for more than four hundred years.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
The title of the seventh book of the Old Testament; the Book of Judges.
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Oct 19, 2023
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!
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To hear and determine by authority, as a case before a court, or a controversy between two parties.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To arrogate judicial authority over; to sit in judgment upon; to be censorious toward.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To determine upon or deliberation; to esteem; to think; to reckon.
If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
To exercise the functions of a magistrate over; to govern.
Make us a king to judge us.
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
Form an opinion of or pass judgment on;
I cannot judge some works of modern art
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Judge
A person who evaluates and makes decisions in competitions.
The judge awarded the highest score to the most skilled dancer.
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Nov 30, 2023
Judge
A person who is knowledgeable and can give an informed opinion.
As a wine judge, her palate is highly respected.
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Nov 30, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a judge's primary role?
To preside over court proceedings and make legal decisions.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are all judges involved in criminal cases?
No, judges specialize in different legal fields, including civil, criminal, and administrative law.
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How is a judge appointed?
Through election or appointment, varying by jurisdiction and court level.
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Can justice exist outside of legal systems?
Yes, it's a moral concept applicable in various aspects of society.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is justice always achieved in legal decisions?
Not always; it's an ideal that legal systems strive for, but various factors can affect outcomes.
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Nov 30, 2023
What qualifications are required to become a judge?
Typically, a law degree and extensive legal experience.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can a society exist without a concept of justice?
Theoretically, but such a society may face ethical and moral challenges.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is justice subjective or objective?
It has elements of both, depending on societal norms and personal beliefs.
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Nov 30, 2023
Does justice change over time?
Yes, it evolves with societal values and legal developments.
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Nov 30, 2023
What role do judges play in a democracy?
They safeguard the rule of law and individual rights.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can a judge's decision be appealed?
Yes, in many legal systems, parties can appeal to a higher court.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are there universal standards of justice?
While there are global human rights norms, specific justice standards can vary.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can a judge be removed from office?
Yes, typically for misconduct or incapacity, following a specific legal process.
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Nov 30, 2023
Does justice only concern legal matters?
No, it also applies to ethical and moral contexts.
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Nov 30, 2023
How does a judge maintain impartiality?
By adhering to legal standards and avoiding conflicts of interest.
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What is judicial independence?
The principle that judges should make decisions free from external pressures.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can concepts of justice vary between cultures?
Yes, perceptions of what is just can differ culturally and individually.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is justice always legal justice?
No, it also encompasses social, economic, and ethical justice.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is the concept of justice the same in all legal systems?
No, it varies based on legal traditions, cultural values, and societal norms.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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