By justification man is declared righteous. The result of justification is the justice of God. The friendship with God is reestablished by justification. By justification man is declared righteous. We understand, according to the New Testament, that justification is an act of God by which the believer is declared righteous, by the merits of Jesus Christ.
Justification is then to declare the sinner just.
Judges however can forgive the penalties for the wrongdoings, but they are not able to make free of guilt or blame whomever has committed a crime. The sinner comes before God to hear that his punishments have been forgiven, and that his guilt is removed too. God acquits the sinner both of the penalties and of the guilt. Who shall bring a charge against God's elect Paul says. It is God who justifies.