Here is an interesting article:
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/03/29/1018033108
Researchers have found that rulings by judges dramatically depend on time of day. It is far more likely for a defendent to get a favorable ruling from a judge right after lunch or early in the morning compared to late the afternoon or just before lunch. Of course the judges aren’t aware of the bias, and apparently neither are defense attorneys. Any comments from the eagle-eyed lawyers on the Dope-other than what’s for lunch judge?