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Judge Career Requirements
Judges serve at the federal, state, county and local levels, overseeing court hearings, as well as civil and criminal trials. Their duty is to ensure that every aspect of the trial or hearing is conducted according to established rules and guidelines, and that the rights of all the individuals involved are protected. Read on to discover more about the role of a judge, as well as the education and training that is required for this dynamic career.
What Types of Work Would I Be Doing With a Career as a Judge?
While the career requirements vary based on federal, state and local statutes, as a judge you would bear the responsibility of ensuring the law is upheld in court. You may preside over criminal and civil court cases, pretrial hearings and trials both with and without juries. A judge presiding over a criminal court case without a jury is responsible to determine whether or not the defendant is guilty.
Judges typically work long hours, and some travel may be expected. They will also typically be on call for emergency situations.
What Sort of Education and Training Will Help Prepare Me to Become a Judge?
While the education and training requirements vary widely based on location and level of government, most judges hold law degrees and have experience working as a lawyer.
To pursue a career as a judge, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree. While entrance into law school does not require a degree in pre-law, most applicants earn their degree in a related field, such as political science or economics. The next step to becoming a judge is to complete law school. During law school, students take courses that address fundamental law principles and ideologies, as well as specialized classes, such as family law. After completing law school, a prospective judge must pass the bar exam. Upon passing the bar exam, you can begin your career as an attorney. Oftentimes, judges are required to be attorneys at the time they decide to pursue a position as a judge.
The path to becoming a judge may be challenging, but with dedication, you will have an opportunity to take part in this important and exciting career.
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