The requirements for a judge to be fair and not to take sides are constantly restated throughout the Bible.

JUSTICE IN JUDAISM: THE JEWISH LEGAL SYSTEM

It is totally forbidden in Jewish law for the judge to show favor to anyone because of wealth or influence. That's not justice.

THE SANHEDRIN

2,000 years ago, when the Jewish people governed their own state, it was not a pure monarchy or theocracy. It was a very sophisticated system of government with checks and balances and division of powers. There was a king (the executive branch), a high priest [Cohen Gadol] (the religious branch), and the Sanhedrin (the judicial branch). There was no need for a legislative branch because all the law was in the Torah. The chief authority to interpret the law, the real power in the Jewish state, rested in the hands of the Sanhedrin -- the Jewish Supreme Court which was composed of 70 Judges.

One of the requirements for a member of the Sanhedrin was to be a parent. Why?

The Torah says that only someone who has children really understands the concept of mercy, a critical trait for the member of the Sanhedrin who could rule on capital cases. Being a parent gives you the sensitivity that every human being is someone's child.

A judge also had to possess an encyclopedic knowledge of everything, especially Torah, and be fluent in seventy languages. He also had to have complete integrity and honesty. Regardless of their status, this position was open to everyone, as long as they fulfilled the criteria.

MONARCHY

In antiquity, kings and queens were incredibly powerful people, not just symbols. They were often viewed as gods or demi-gods, completely above the law.

THE JEWISH CONCEPT OF A RULER

The concept of kingship in Judaism differs markedly from other types of monarchy in antiquity.

The Jewish king had privileges and powers, but above all, the position came with an awesome responsibility. The king was to represent the ideal Jew, who acted as the role model for the rest of the nation. 

The king is commanded to carry a Torah scroll with him at all times:

More than anyone else, the king must know that there is a power above him, the King of Kings, a G-d whose laws even the king must obey. The king was definitely not above the law. He was charged with exemplifying it.

Justice and equality before the law is very much a reality in Judaism.

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