Job Profile:
Judge, Magistrate Judge and Magistrate

The Job

• Judges oversee the legal process in courts and apply the law according to local, state and federal statutes.

  Judges, magistrates and other judicial workers held about 71,000 jobs in 1998.

• They preside over cases concerning every aspect of society, from traffic offenses to euthanasia.
• Judges ensure trials and hearings are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
• Federal judges are appointed for life by the President and are confirmed by the Senate. Federal administrative law judges are appointed by the various federal agencies with virtually lifetime tenure.
• Some state judges are appointed, and the rest are elected in partisan or nonpartisan State elections.

Skills

In 1998, 40 percent of all judges and magistrates were employed at the federal level.

• Proficiency in writing, speaking with ease and authority, reading, researching, analyzing and logical thinking.
• Perseverance, creativity and reasoning ability are also essential to judges, who must often analyze complex cases and handle new and unique legal problems.
• Knowledge of legal statutes and courtroom rules.

Education

• Most judges are lawyers first; in fact, it's usually a requirement for federal and state judges. Education requirements for lawyers consist of a four-year college degree, three years in law school and successful completion of a written bar examination.
• All states have some type of orientation for newly elected or appointed judges. The American Bar Association, National Judicial College and National Center for State Courts provide judicial education and training.
• More than half of all states and Puerto Rico require judges to enroll in continuing legal education courses while serving on the bench.

Outlook

• Employment for judges is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations. Increasing

  Some judges with limited jurisdiction are employed part time and also work in other careers.

  public concerns about crime, safety and the efficient administration of justice should spur a demand for additional judges, but public budgetary pressures will limit job growth.
• Competition for judgeships will remain intense, because most job openings arise only as judges retire.
• Judicial candidates must not only compete with other qualified individuals, but they frequently also need to gain political support to be elected or appointed.

Related Careers

• Legal training is useful in many other occupations, including mediator, journalist, criminal investigator or special agent, political scientist, title examiner, police detective, legislative assistant, lobbyist, political office holder and corporate executive.

Search Jobs with These Keywords:

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor