Judge Life Videos:

Here’s a brief list of what Judges do:

Court Proceedings: Presides over court hearings, trials, and proceedings to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice.
Legal Interpretation: Interprets and applies laws, statutes, regulations, and legal precedents to make rulings and decisions on cases presented in court.
Evidence Evaluation: Reviews and evaluates evidence presented by parties in litigation to determine admissibility and relevance in accordance with legal standards.
Case Management: Manages courtroom proceedings, schedules hearings, sets trial dates, and ensures cases progress efficiently through the legal process.
Legal Rulings: Issues rulings, judgments, and orders based on legal arguments, evidence, and applicable law, resolving disputes and deciding the outcomes of cases.
Sentence and Sentencing: Determines appropriate sentences or penalties for individuals convicted of crimes, considering factors such as severity of offense, criminal history, and sentencing guidelines.
Legal Precedent: Considers legal principles and precedents established by higher courts when making decisions that may set new legal precedents.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

Undergraduate Education: Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. There is no specific major required to become a judge, but a degree in political science, history, English, or any other field that develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills is beneficial.
Law School: Attend and graduate from an accredited law school in the United States. This typically involves completing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program, which typically takes three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. During law school, focus on developing strong legal research and writing skills, and consider participating in moot court, legal clinics, or law review to gain practical experience.

After graduating from law school and obtaining a J.D. degree, gain legal experience by practicing law as an attorney. Most judges have significant experience as attorneys before being appointed or elected to the bench.
Gain experience in various areas of law, such as criminal law, civil litigation, family law, corporate law, or any other area of interest.

Pass the bar exam in the state where you intend to practice law. Each state has its own bar exam, which tests your knowledge of state-specific laws and legal principles. Some states also require a separate ethics exam.
Once you pass the bar exam and meet other state-specific requirements, you will be licensed to practice law in that state.

Establish a strong reputation within the legal community by demonstrating legal competence, integrity, and professionalism in your practice. Networking with other attorneys, judges, and legal professionals can also be beneficial.

Judicial positions in the United States may be filled through appointment or election, depending on the jurisdiction and level of the court. Common types of judicial positions include trial court judges, appellate court judges, and justices of the state supreme court or federal courts.
Research the requirements and qualifications for judicial positions in your state or federal jurisdiction. Judicial vacancies are typically announced publicly, and interested candidates may need to submit applications, undergo interviews, and meet other selection criteria.

Appointment: Judicial appointments are typically made by the President of the United States (for federal judges) or the Governor of the state (for state judges) with the advice and consent of the Senate or state legislature, respectively. Judicial nominating commissions may also play a role in the selection process.
Election: In some jurisdictions, judges are elected by popular vote. Candidates may run for judicial office and campaign for election to the bench. Election processes vary by state and may involve primary elections, general elections, or retention elections.
This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!