Crossword Genius

Judges able to burst into tears! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rates

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'judges' is the definition.
(rating is a kind of judging)

'able to burst into tears' is the wordplay.
'tears' can be anagrammed to 'RATES'.
However, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rates that I've seen before include "Charges, deserves" , "Taxes paid by businesses to local authority" , "Former local taxation system" , "Fees" , "Property levy" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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