Judicial office
What does a trial court judge do?
The judge who presides over criminal trials, civil disputes, and family court in your area.
- Level
- Judicial
- Term
- 4 to 8 years, varying by state
- On ballot
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office controls
- Presides over trials and rules on evidence and motions.
- Sets bail and pretrial release conditions.
- Imposes sentences within statutory ranges.
- Decides custody, divorce, and protective-order matters in family court.
- Issues search and arrest warrants.
What it can’t do
Just as important, and the source of most misplaced expectations about the job:
- Bound by sentencing ranges the legislature sets.
- Decisions can be overturned on appeal.
- Cannot decide which cases are brought — prosecutors and litigants do.
Why this race matters
Trial judges make the decisions people actually encounter: whether someone waits for trial in jail, who gets custody of a child, whether an eviction proceeds. These are among the least-researched races on any ballot.
What to look for in a candidate
- Courtroom experience and areas of practice.
- Bar association ratings and peer evaluations.
- Any public disciplinary record.
- Judicial temperament as described by practicing attorneys.
Is this office on your ballot?
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Look up my ballotSources
1 source
What this office does is set by state and local law, which varies. These sources document the general structure; your state's own statutes govern.
- T2Census of Governments
U.S. Census Bureau · Government record