Judge vs. Prosecutor: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A judge is an impartial arbiter in legal proceedings, while a prosecutor is a lawyer who represents the state in criminal cases.
Key Differences
A judge is a legal official with the authority to preside over court proceedings and make legal decisions, whereas a prosecutor is an attorney who represents the government, tasked with presenting evidence in court to prove the guilt of the accused.
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Nov 27, 2023
Judges are responsible for ensuring fair trials, interpreting laws, and passing sentences, while prosecutors are responsible for initiating legal action against individuals suspected of breaking the law.
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Judges must remain neutral and unbiased, weighing evidence presented by both the defense and the prosecution, but prosecutors actively work to prove the defendant's guilt, often by gathering and presenting evidence.
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In the courtroom, a judge oversees the proceedings and ensures legal protocols are followed, whereas a prosecutor actively argues the case against the defendant, striving to persuade the judge and jury of their guilt.
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Judges are not involved in investigating crimes; their role begins in the courtroom, whereas prosecutors often work closely with law enforcement during investigations to build a case against suspects.
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Comparison Chart
Role in Legal System
Arbitrates and makes decisions in court.
Represents the state in criminal proceedings.
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Objective
To ensure justice and fair trial.
To prove the guilt of the accused.
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Position
Neutral, unbiased decision-maker.
Actively advocates for one side (the state).
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Interaction with Law
Interprets and applies the law.
Uses the law to build a case against accused.
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Engagement in Trial
Oversees and directs court proceedings.
Presents evidence and arguments in court.
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Judge and Prosecutor Definitions
Judge
A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible.
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Prosecutor
A legal representative who brings charges against a suspect in a court of law.
The prosecutor argued convincingly in the high-profile case.
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Nov 20, 2023
Judge
A person qualified to give an opinion on a matter.
As a culinary expert, she was a judge at the cooking competition.
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Prosecutor
A person who initiates legal action against someone accused of a crime.
The prosecutor sought a severe sentence for the repeat offender.
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Judge
To determine results in a competition.
He was chosen to judge the dance contest.
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Prosecutor
An official who prepares and presents a case against a defendant.
The prosecutor's opening statement outlined the charges against the defendant.
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Judge
To form an opinion or estimation of after careful consideration
Judge heights.
Judging character.
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Prosecutor
One that initiates and carries out a legal action, especially criminal proceedings.
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Judge
To act as one appointed to decide the winners of
Judge an essay contest.
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Prosecutor
(law) a prosecuting attorney.
Annie Jay was the Wisconsin government prosecutor in the trial of a man for forging his client's signature.
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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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Prosecutor
(law) a person, as a complainant, victim, or chief witness, who institutes prosecution in a criminal proceeding.
The prosecutor got the witness to admit he was lying.
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Judge
(Informal) To have as an opinion or assumption; suppose
I judge you're right.
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Prosecutor
One who prosecutes or carries on any purpose, plan, or business.
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Prosecutor
The person who institutes and carries on a criminal suit against another in the name of the government.
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Prosecutor
A government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state
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Prosecutor
An attorney who represents the state in criminal legal proceedings.
The prosecutor worked closely with the police during the investigation.
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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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Prosecutor
A legal officer who accuses someone of committing a crime.
The prosecutor's evidence was key to securing a conviction.
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Nov 20, 2023
Judge
(Law) A public official who hears and decides cases brought in court.
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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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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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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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Judge
A person who decides the fate of someone or something that has been called into question.
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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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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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Judge
A shophet, a temporary leader appointed in times of crisis in ancient Israel.
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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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Judge
(intransitive) To sit in judgment, to act as judge.
Justices in this country judge without appeal.
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Judge
To sentence to punishment, to judicially condemn.
He was judged to die for his crimes.
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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
Judge
To constitute a fitting appraisal or criterion of; to provide a basis for forming an opinion on.
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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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Judge
(transitive) To have as an opinion; to consider, suppose.
I judge it safe to leave the house once again.
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Judge
(ambitransitive) To form an opinion; to infer.
I judge from the sky that it might rain later.
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Judge
(ambitransitive) To govern as biblical judge or shophet (over some jurisdiction).
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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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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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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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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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Judge
The title of the seventh book of the Old Testament; the Book of Judges.
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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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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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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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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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Judge
To exercise the functions of a magistrate over; to govern.
Make us a king to judge us.
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Judge
A public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
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Judge
Form an opinion of or pass judgment on;
I cannot judge some works of modern art
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Judge
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
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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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Judge
To form an opinion or conclusion about something.
It's hard to judge the success of the project at this early stage.
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Nov 20, 2023
Judge
To preside over a court and pass sentence.
The judge sentenced the defendant to ten years in prison.
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Nov 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do judges participate in investigations?
No, judges do not participate in investigations; they focus on legal proceedings in court.
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Nov 27, 2023
What is the main function of a judge?
A judge's main function is to preside over legal proceedings, make rulings, and ensure a fair trial.
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Nov 27, 2023
What is the primary role of a prosecutor?
The primary role of a prosecutor is to represent the state and present evidence against the accused in court.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can a judge also be a prosecutor?
No, a judge cannot be a prosecutor as these are distinct roles with different responsibilities.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can a judge overturn a jury's verdict?
In some cases, a judge can overturn a jury's verdict if it's legally unsupported or flawed.
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Are prosecutors allowed to be involved in politics?
While they can have personal political views, prosecutors should not let politics influence their legal responsibilities.
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Do prosecutors defend the accused?
No, prosecutors do not defend the accused; they argue against them on behalf of the state.
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Can prosecutors dismiss charges?
Yes, prosecutors can dismiss charges if they believe there is insufficient evidence.
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What education is required to become a prosecutor?
Prosecutors typically need a law degree and must pass a bar exam to practice law.
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What qualifications are needed to become a judge?
Judges typically need a law degree, legal experience, and appointment or election to the position.
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Nov 27, 2023
How do judges maintain impartiality?
Judges maintain impartiality by following legal standards, avoiding conflicts of interest, and focusing on facts and law.
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Are prosecutors involved in plea bargains?
Yes, prosecutors often negotiate plea bargains with the accused or their legal representatives.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can a prosecutor become a judge?
Yes, a prosecutor can become a judge, often after gaining extensive legal experience.
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Do prosecutors work with law enforcement?
Yes, prosecutors often work closely with law enforcement to build and present cases.
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Can prosecutors decide not to pursue a case?
Yes, prosecutors have the discretion to decide not to pursue a case if they deem it appropriate.
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Can judges give legal advice?
No, judges cannot give legal advice; they must remain neutral and unbiased.
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Are judges allowed to discuss ongoing cases publicly?
Judges typically avoid discussing ongoing cases publicly to maintain court integrity and impartiality.
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Do judges decide punishments in all cases?
Yes, in most cases, judges decide the punishments based on legal guidelines and circumstances.
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Can judges overturn laws?
Judges can rule that laws are unconstitutional, effectively overturning them within their jurisdiction.
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Do prosecutors have the final say in sentencing?
No, prosecutors do not decide sentences; they can only recommend sentences to the judge.
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Nov 27, 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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Hifza Nasir
