One of the interesting issues that I found in researching the concept of judging others favorably - is the question of how to relate to the a talmid chachom/tzadik versus an average type person.Judging favorably typically means that one gives someone the benefit of the doubt. If the act he did or the words he uttered could be understood as bad - then we are to judge him favorably. If the deeds are not ambiguous but are closer to being certainly bad...
