Becoming a judge is not everyone's cup of tea. The job requires a person to have high standards of objectivity, and be thoroughly well-versed in laws and handling legal matters. In court cases and legal proceedings, judges are required to oversee that all dealings are completed smoothly and successfully. If you want to know how to become a judge, our guide will help you gain the information you need. You could also decide if this is the right career path for you.
What Are The Exact Duties Of A Judge: What Skills Are Needed?
Typically, judges are responsible for researching legal issues and evaluating information from various legal documents. Unlike ministerial positions, judges are expected to closely analyze the facts and arguments within the legal context to arrive at a formal conclusion in favor of one party. On a daily basis, a judge may preside over multiple cases of different natures, requiring him or her to have excellent command over the law. The judge will also hold power to order a person's release or imprisonment over any trial. In addition to possessing good writing skills, a good judge must be excellent at critical reasoning. He or she must be able to weigh the facts and judge the evidence from an objective standpoint to arrive at a fair and just conclusion. Court trials are mostly carried through oral presentation of arguments, which means that the judge must be a good listener as well.
Educational Requirements:
Knowing how to become a judge in terms of the skills needed is not enough to land the profession. You also need proper education within the legal system. Obtaining a law degree is the most popular route to becoming a judge. You will start by completing a bachelor's degree in any field - most students choose history, government, or political science - followed by three years of law school. During law school, you could specify the kind of law you wish to study, ranging from constitutional to property to contracts and civil procedure.
After seven years of studying, you will be required to pass the bar examination and obtain some practical work experience as a lawyer. Only when you are thoroughly familiar with the legal system may you be entrusted to make legal decisions that may affect the law. All judges are also required to take continuing education courses while serving on the bench. These programs ensure that the professionals are up to date with the latest changes to the judiciary world and are maintaining a sharp sense in their practice.
Job Outlook And Pay
While the top ten percent of judges in the US were earning upwards of $160,000 in 2010, the overall growth in this field is quite slow. The industry is expected to grow at a sub-par rate of seven percent. This is because of a change in the approval process for a new federal or state judge, which makes the process longer. Junior level positions are expected to grow more rapidly though, meaning that there is still some hope.