Judgment

Judgment, legal decision made by a court. A judgment is legally binding upon the parties named in it and often involves restitution imposed on a guilty party by a judge or someone acting in a legal capacity. Once a judgment is handed down, it has the force of law behind it, and violations can be punished by the court. Judgments made in criminal cases can usually be appealed to a higher court, which can either overturn or uphold a lower court ruling.