Judges and hearing officers review cases and make decisions about them based on the law.

Judges and hearing officers conduct trials and hearings. They decide who wins a case when it is not a jury trial. This may mean choosing between two people who disagree, or deciding if a person committed a crime. They handle everything from minor traffic cases up to major questions, such as the right to die.

There are several levels of judges and hearing officers, including:

• Magistrate judges
• Magistrates
• Trial court judges
• Appellate court judges
• Administrative law judges
• Adjudicators

Judges work at the city, county, and state levels. Some judges work at the national level, where they decide issues that affect the entire nation.

Judges and hearing officers hold pretrial hearings and listen to the charges and the evidence against the person charged with the crime. They decide if the case merits going to trial.

During trials, judges listen to what lawyers say and decide what evidence can be used. They often settle disagreements between lawyers. They set procedures on how to best deal with situations. Some trials use juries to decide cases. Judges explain relevant laws to juries before juries make their decisions about cases. They instruct juries on how to evaluate the information given. When juries find people guilty, judges usually decide the sentence.

Hearing officers handle administrative cases. They are also called adjudicators. They make decisions on cases related to government agencies. For example, they deal with cases regarding social security or environmental protection. Hearing officers may send out subpoenas. They interview people filing claims against an agency. They decide if and what type of payment should be made to claimants. They explain how to appeal the court's decision when a judgment goes against claimants.

Judges and hearing officers also work outside the courtroom. They read papers or laws about cases. They write papers summarizing their opinions when cases are decided. They also meet with lawyers and supervise the clerical staff. In some states judges are authorized to perform marriages.