Question

What is the role of a judge in a jury trial?

Answer 1

Generally, the judge rules on all matters of law. Although judges are the ultimate arbiters of the law, their role also includes the resolution of factual issues under a number of circumstances. Judges resolve a wide range of preliminary questions of fact, such as whether particular matters are privileged, whether a witness is competent to testify, whether a witness can offer expert testimony, and whether a confession was made voluntarily. At a judge trial (‘bench trial’) the judge is the sole finder of fact. At a jury trial, the jury typically renders the verdict. However, in limited circumstances, a trial judge may remove one or more questions from the jury and resolve them herself. Judge’s Role in Commenting on Evidence at the Conclusion of a Jury Trial.
a. In federal courts, the judge is permitted to comment on the weight of the evidence and may also summarize or “marshals” the evidence.
b. In the majority of state courts, the judge may summarize evidence but is not permitted to comment on its weight.
http://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/evidence/outline-evidence-law/general-principles/role-of-judge-and-jury/