Which of the following is NOT a duty of a judge?

A judge's responsibilities primarily includes ensuring that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and in accordance with the law. Among these duties are making rulings on evidence, which involves deciding what evidence can be presented during a trial; sentencing offenders, where judges impose penalties after a verdict; and presiding over trials, where they manage court procedures and maintain order during the proceedings.

Participating in plea-bargaining, however, is typically not a direct responsibility of a judge. Plea-bargaining generally occurs between the prosecution and the defense, where negotiations take place to reach a resolution before trial. While judges may oversee the plea agreement process to ensure its fairness and legality, they do not typically engage in the negotiation of the plea deal itself. This is why it is the correct choice as the duty that does not normally fall within the purview of a judge.