Which of the following is NOT a role of a judge?

• A. Presides at trials
• B. Issues warrants
• C. Hires court personnel
• D. The finder of law in all trials

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that a judge’s job spans both directing court proceedings and handling court administration, but the role described as “finder of law in all trials” isn’t universal.

A judge presides over trials, ruling on motions, managing courtroom procedure, and, in jury trials, instructing the jury on the applicable law. They also sign off on warrants when needed, reviewing and approving requests to search or arrest. In many systems, judges also oversee court administration and may be involved in hiring or supervising court staff or personnel.

The phrase about being the finder of law in all trials isn’t accurate in every context because, in trials with a jury, the jury determines facts while the judge provides and interprets the law for them. In bench trials, the judge may determine both fact and law, but that isn’t true for all trials. So that statement isn’t a universal role of a judge.