Judges and Magistrate Judges
Judges and magistrate judges lead courtrooms, listen carefully to both sides of a case, and make fair, lawful decisions about what should happen next. They study laws, review evidence, and decide things like whether someone is guilty of a crime, how much money should be paid in a civil dispute, or who should have custody of children after a divorce. They also create written decisions, supervise court staff, set courtroom rules when the law is unclear, and sometimes handle important life events, such as conducting wedding ceremonies.
Did you know?
Most judicial positions in the US require either political appointment by executives or winning competitive elections, making networking and political awareness crucial for career advancement.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$140,800 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top skill
Active Listening
Things to consider
Extensive Legal Education and Experience Requirements
Candidates typically need a law degree, bar admission, and significant legal practice experience, often requiring 10-15 years of prior legal work before consideration for judicial roles.
High Ethical Standards and Public Scrutiny
Judges face intense public scrutiny and must maintain impeccable ethical standards, as misconduct can result in removal from office and permanent damage to legal career prospects.
Key responsibilities
Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.