Judge

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Work Tasks

• Hear court cases, decide if people are guilty or not, and decide on a penalty if found guilty
• Make sure that trials and hearings are fair
• Listen to lawyers, decide what evidence can be presented, settle arguments, and make sure correct procedure is followed
• Research legal matters, read documents, and write opinions on cases
• Work for federal, state, or local governments in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms
• Work with civil cases, criminal cases, lawyers, juries, case papers, transcripts, legal documents, evidence, and law books

Salary, Size & Growth

• $126,500 average per year ($60.75 per hour)
• A medium occupation (25,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.1% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: Almost all jurisdictions require that anyone appointed or elected a judge to any court be a graduate of an accredited law school and a member of the bar. Judges are either appointed or elected in state elections. Most judges have first been lawyers, and must pass an exam to be eligible for election or appointment.
• Skills/Courses: To qualify for the bar exam in most states, an applicant must have completed at least three years of college and graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association.
• Certification/Licensing: Federal and state judges are usually required to be lawyers.