Legal Definitions - judicial bias

Definition: Judicial bias refers to a situation where a judge shows favoritism or prejudice towards a particular party or issue in a legal case. This can happen when a judge has personal beliefs or experiences that influence their decision-making, or when they have a relationship with one of the parties involved.

Example: If a judge has a history of ruling in favor of one particular political party, even when the evidence suggests otherwise, this could be seen as judicial bias. Similarly, if a judge has a personal relationship with one of the lawyers or parties involved in a case, this could also be seen as bias.

Explanation: Judicial bias can undermine the fairness and impartiality of the legal system, as it means that the judge is not making decisions based solely on the facts and evidence presented in the case. Instead, their personal beliefs or relationships are influencing their decision-making, which can lead to unjust outcomes. It is important for judges to remain impartial and unbiased in order to ensure that justice is served.