A judge is an official who presides over a court of law and is responsible for making decisions and rendering verdicts in legal cases. Judges are typically appointed or elected officials who are empowered to interpret the law, apply it to individual cases, and oversee the administration of justice. They play a critical role in the legal system and are required to maintain impartiality and fairness in their decision-making. In some countries, judges also have the power to sentence individuals who have been found guilty of crimes.