The Judge: Arbiter of Law in Gorean Society

In Gorean society, a Judge is a significant personage, holding the crucial role of presiding over legal proceedings to determine guilt or innocence and to administer justice. Their position is one of power and carries a specific demeanor designed to reinforce the authority of the law.

I. Position and Authority

1. Elevated Status: Judges are considered "significant personages" and are often seated on special "thrones of office" or elevated platforms (like a "dais") in courtrooms, suggesting their high status and the gravity of their role. Chairs themselves hold special significance on Gor and are reserved for such figures.

2. Ultimate Ruling Authority: A judge, whether a common magistrate or a supreme ruler, holds the power to decide a defendant's fate (e.g., "to learn her fate"). The Ubar himself can be the "supreme ruling judge" and the "master of law."

3. Core of the Legal System: Judges are essential components of the formal legal system, working alongside attorneys and courts to process cases.

4. Specialized Types: The term "judge" can encompass various specific judicial roles, including "merchant magistrates" (who also function as judges in commercial matters).

5. Implicit Trust: The expectation is that judges are competent and non-corrupt, implying a societal trust in their role, even if some outside perspectives (like barbarian views) challenge the process.

II. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Presiding Over Trials: Judges lead court proceedings, from grand public spectacles (like those involving a platform, prosecution/defense tables, a dock/cage, and a jury) to more straightforward hearings.

2. Determining Guilt/Innocence: Their core duty is to evaluate the case presented and determine whether a defendant is guilty or innocent (e.g., indicated by an ear notch for a thief).

3. Administering Sentences: Upon a finding of guilt, the judge is responsible for issuing the sentence, which can be severe (e.g., the collar for "conduct unbecoming" a free woman).

4. Maintaining Control: They ensure that defendants are properly managed during trials (e.g., kept in a "dock, a cage," or chained).

5. Assessing Testimony: They observe and evaluate the defendant's demeanor (e.g., denying veiling to "read" features) to inform their judgment.

6. Upholding Legal Principles: They are presumed to operate within the accepted legal framework, even if concepts like "presumption of innocence" might be debated or misunderstood from an Earth perspective (Gorean common thought leans towards a presumption of guilt simply by being charged).

III. Demeanor and Symbolism

1. Imposing Presence: Judges are described as "reposing in dark-robed splendor," suggesting "the might, gravity, and solemnity of the law." They are positioned to make one "feel overshadowed, intimidated, and awed."

2. Physicality of Authority: The Ubar, as a High Judge, is described as "gigantic, bearded Marlenus of Ar," reinforcing a physical embodiment of the law's power.

3. Gender Roles (Generally Male): While one quote mentions a "presiding female judge" (a notable exception), the general portrayal, especially of "high judge" and rulers functioning as judges, suggests the role is predominantly male.

4. Symbolic Representation: The judge is seen as the "master of law" and "paragon of justice," embodying the legal will of the city or Ubar.

In conclusion, a Gorean Judge is a highly authoritative and respected figure who serves as the ultimate arbiter of law in formal proceedings. Their role is to embody the stern and often brutal justice of Gor, ensuring that legal outcomes are swift, decisive, and fully reflective of the governing power structure.

- Kati Evans