Ter amigo(s) (na praça) é melhor que ter dinheiro no bolso...

Cf. Como dizer "Quem tem amigo não morre pagão" em inglês

The reference, to my thinking, have a subtle distinction in sense, "quem tem amigo não morre pagão" is more of a good network and relying on the friends at the time of necessity.
The importance of having supportive friend vs too much reliance on money.

Whereas "He whose father is judge, goes saves to his trial" would be more about parental attitude, so you are "at home" (comfortable) when you see some close member of the family, especially your father. You get confident.

The feeling is a bit similar, to a degree, with the sayngs (not necessarily English ones here, AFAIK):
There's only one pretty child in the world and every mother has it.
Parents are partial to their children.
Every mother's duck is a swan.

BTW, In some states in America is not legallly advisable that a judge handle cases where the judge’s son, espouse or person within the third degree of kinship is either part of investigation or charged with criminal offenses.