Judges are elected or appointed public officials with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law. They arbitrate disputes; advise attorneys, claimants, defendants, jury members, and court personnel; and preside at trials and all other court proceedings.  

JOB DUTIES   

Judges may:  

Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules, where necessary  

Research legal matters by studying past rulings and laws  

Read or listen to statements made by the plaintiff/defendant  

Listen to presentation of cases by lawyers  

Settle disputes between parties represented by lawyers  

Examine evidence to determine if the evidence supports charges  

Rule on the admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony

Advise lawyers, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings

Instruct juries on applicable law and proper procedures  

Determine guilt or innocence in non-jury cases  

Award judicial relief to litigants in civil cases  

Sentence defendants in criminal cases according to laws  

Write judicial decisions  

Click here  to watch a brief video on Judges!

Work aids used may include:  

• Evidence submitted in court cases  

• Dictating and other recording equipment  

• Legal rules, regulations, and procedures  

• Case reports, transcripts, and other legal papers  

• Federal/state statutes and interpretations  

• Facsimile Machines  

• Personal computers and database services  

Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's)  

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES   

Judges are elected or appointed public officials with authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law. Depending on the size and type of the court and the organizational structure of the system, administrative or managerial duties may also be required. These may include calendar management, jury selection, planning and research, budget drafting, personnel management, computer operations, public relations activities, and other business of the court. In many courts, primarily trial courts of general jurisdiction, court administrators complete these tasks by enabling judges to devote more time to the usual judicial duties. (See Career Exploration Script # 123 Court Administrator )  

Judges may specialize in these areas:  

111.107-010  JUVENILE-COURT JUDGES arbitrate, advise, and administer justice probate courts that handle such areas as juvenile neglect, dependency, and delinquency. Juvenile courts emphasize investigation of the young person's background in deciding the disposition of the case as opposed to the adversary procedures found in the adult system.  

111.107-010  PROBATE JUDGES arbitrate, advise, and administer justice in a probate court which has jurisdiction over juvenile guardianship, conservationship, decedent's estates, and mentally ill proceedings. Judges may also be designated according to the level of the court over which they preside, such as: appellate-court judge, district-court judge; municipal-court judge; superior-court judge; and supreme-court judge. In addition, Judges may be designated according to the governmental level of the court in which they work: federal, state, or municipal. Some Judges may have titles such as magistrate, justice, referee, commissioner, or chancellor.  

Some 111.107-010 JUDGES are not elected or appointed but are employed in quasi-judicial positions by a wide variety of governmental regulatory bodies. They are usually called administrative law judge or hearings examiner. In general, they preside at formal hearings required by statute (law) and may make recommendations or initial decisions on the basis of the record. [See Career Exploration Script # 384 Administrative Law Judge (Examiner) ].  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:  

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS   

When researching a case, Judges may work alone or with research assistants. In courtrooms, they preside over the individuals and proceedings involved.  

Most courtrooms, whether city, county, state, or federal, are neat, clean and well furnished. The Judge's chambers are usually exceptionally well cared for and well equipped. Higher ranking Judges have more elaborate chambers, including offices for aides and clerks. A large number of federal buildings across the nation have been constructed during the last two decades and provide modern space for federal Judges.  

The United States Supreme Court Building also provides excellent quarters for its Justices.  

Generally, the court is open 40 hours per week. Most courts hold regular sessions. Usually Monday through Friday, during regular office hours. Some courts hold evening sessions to accommodate the persons served. The pressing importance of a case may require the Judge to work longer than 40 hours. Additional time may also be spent doing research on legal matters, studying previous rulings, and keeping up to date on new legislation that will affect legal decisions.  

Some travel may be required if a Judge is needed in another court district to hear a case or when court is held in more than one location.  

Judges may belong to professional associations such as The American Bar Association   and State Bar of Michigan . Membership usually requires payment of an annual fee. Many Judges also participate in continuing judicial education programs, conducted by government and private agencies, for which fees must be paid.  

You Should Prefer:  

• Activities involving people and the communication of data  

• Activities involving business contact with people  

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation by others  

You Should Be Able To:  

• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing  

• Reason clearly and logically  

• Assimilate oral and written data quickly  

• Understand, interpret, and apply legal procedures and laws  

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions  

• Make decisions based on personal judgment or verifiable data  

• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, or judgments  

• Direct an entire activity or activities of others  

• Patiently listen to all aspects of a dispute or case  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:  

Example of related evidence such as in the Simpson case (so many types of blood per so many samples)  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:  

Ancillary jurisdiction is a means by which a federal court can exercise jurisdiction over a case for which it cannot exercise diversity or federal question jurisdiction. Ancillary jurisdiction requires that there already be a case properly in the federal court's jurisdiction.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:  

Prepare a written judicial decision.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:  

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills, organizational skills, decision making skills and be detail oriented in managing the operations in a court room.  

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES   

NOTE: A Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.  

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***   

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 1900 HISTORY , 2200 MATH , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS  

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***   

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***   

089  LAW  

Programs in Law provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to practice Law in the courts and judicial system. The study of Law is the study of the principles and regulations established by governmental legislation, custom, or judicial decision under which society functions.  

Courses in Law programs will vary but may include:  

The most common requirements for entering law schools are completing an appropriate undergraduate program with an acceptable grade point average, registering with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) , completing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)   with an acceptable score, and completing all necessary forms and applications.  

090  LAW (PRE-PROFESSIONAL)  

Pre-Law Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to law school. Most law schools require applicants to have a bachelor's degree, but few require a prescribed undergraduate program for admission. No single Pre-Law Program can be recommended as the best one. Concentrations in history, English and literature economics, and political science are frequently selected as majors by Pre-Law students. Most Michigan colleges and universities offer programs which may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to law schools. Prospective students should contact the law schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that prerequisites will be met. Courses vary from school to school and between major areas of concentration.  

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***   

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***   

Please check Military website at http://www.myfuture.com .  

LAWYERS   

The military has its own system of laws and courts. Lawyers administer activities within the military judicial system. They also perform legal research, prosecute and defend court cases, and preside over military courts. They provide legal services for military personnel and represent the services in civil and international legal matters.  

What They Do   

Lawyers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Give legal advice about government real estate, commercial contracts, patents, and trademarks  

• Prepare pretrial advice for clients in court-martial cases  

• Act as prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, or judge in court cases  

• Prepare legal documents, such as wills and powers of attorney  

• Interpret laws, directives, regulations, and court decisions  

• Preside over court cases and make judgments based on the Uniform Code of Military Justice  

• Help train new lawyers  

Special Requirements   

A degree in law is required to enter this occupation. In addition, most specialties require a membership to the bar in either federal court or the highest court of a state.  

Helpful Attributes   

Helpful attributes include:  

• Interest in working with and researching legal concepts  

• Ability to write clearly and concisely  

• Ability to speak effectively in public  

• Sensitivity to the needs of others  

Work Environment   

Lawyers work in legal offices and courtrooms on land and aboard ships.  

Training Provided   

Job training consists of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:  

• Military trial procedures  

• Application of the Uniform Code of Military Justice  

• Methods of obtaining evidence  

• Court-martial advocacy techniques  

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.  

Civilian Counterparts   

Civilian lawyers work in private practice and for law firms, government, corporations, and nonprofit groups. They perform duties similar to those performed by military lawyers. Civilian lawyers, however, usually specialize in a particular field. There are several fields of civilian law, such as divorce, trade, and antitrust that military lawyers do not practice.  

Opportunities   

The services have an unknown number of lawyers. With experience, lawyers may be appointed military judges. In time, lawyers may advance to senior management positions in the legal field.    

E-Learning Courses and Programs     

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY   

All states require that full-time Judges, appointed or elected, have a law degree, but other requirements vary. Before enrolling in law school, students should investigate requirements of states in which they may wish to work. In Michigan, Judges must also be active members of the State Bar of Michigan . Michigan also has in-service education available for all Judges. Most Judges are lawyers with years of experience practicing law. (For special requirements, see Career Exploration Script # 51 Lawyers ).  

School-to-Work opportunities include:  

Informal apprenticeships  

Mentorships  

Job shadowing experiences  

Touring a local Judge employer  

Internships  

Volunteer work with a Judge employer  

Community service work with an agency  

District court magistrates who hear and preside over civil infraction cases must (1) complete a special training course in traffic law adjudication given by the Michigan Judicial Institute, (2) receive approval from their chief district judge, and (3) receive authorization from the Michigan state court administrator. The Michigan state court administrator also recommends that district court magistrates have at least one year prior experience in the district court or in law enforcement.  

By visiting a court you may observe courtroom procedure and courtroom duties of Judges. Law students may obtain part-time positions as assistants and researchers in law offices or as law clerks helping Judges prepare and write opinions. Related experience may be available in the military service also. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:   

National Center for State Courts

ABA Career Center

Lawjobs

LegalForce

HG.org

Michigan Law Jobs

LegalCareerSite

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs

Michigan Talent Bank  

MONSTER.COM  

Yahoo!hotjobs  

CareerBuilder  

USAJOBS - United States Office of Personnel Management  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.   

An experienced lawyer may seek election or appointment as a Judge. The governor appoints Judges to state courts. Federal Judges are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.  

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT   

Salaries of Judges vary greatly and are based on the courts' jurisdiction and geographic location.  

  Salaries of federal court Judges in 2009 were:  

  Salaries for Judges in Michigan were (2009):  

Annual salaries at the federal level do not reflect additional compensation received by chief or presiding Judges of particular courts, nor do they show payment for expenses or other compensation.

Fringe benefits vary by employer but may include life, health, and hospitalization insurance; paid vacations and holidays; cost-of-living allowances; optical or prescription benefits; and retirement plans. Most Judges receive payment of professional dues, parking fees, tuition reimbursement and other education expenses, and paid travel costs between court locations.  

Many Judges are elected or appointed to the bench after long careers as lawyers and pursue a career by advancing from one court to another. More than 70% of judicial

positions are elective, but some of them may be filled by appointments to vacancies. In more and more states, Judges are being appointed under a merit system. Nominations are made by a nonpartisan citizen judicial selection commission. [back to top]   

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK   

Nationally, 27,200 Judges and magistrates were employed in 2006.  Employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  The Industry distribution for Judges and Magistrates looked like this:  

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.  

Most judges in Michigan worked in urban areas. Judges were employed at all levels of government: local, state, and federal.  

There are 258 full-time District, 221 Circuit, 102 Probate and 9 full- time bankruptcy federal judgeships located in Michigan. The remaining Judges worked in local courts in positions such as magistrates.   Employment of Judges is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 50 openings is expected, with 10 due to growth and 40 due to replacement of those who retire, die or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings may occur as Judges change positions or occupations.  

Although the need for Judges is urgent, because of a large backlog of court cases and rising crime levels, the outlook for a substantial increase in the total number employed is not good because of budgetary limitations. Because the number of judgeships is legislated and is partially based on population levels, population shifts, and growth, the number of openings in certain regions influence the number of judgeships.  

Opportunities in law for women, Blacks, and other minority groups are increasing as the judicial system is becoming more diversified.          

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION     

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth