Overview for Judges

udges apply the law and oversee the legal process in courts. They preside over cases concerning every aspect of society, from traffic offenses to disputes over the management of professional sports to issues concerning the rights of huge corporations. All judicial workers must ensure that trials and hearings are conducted fairly and that the court safeguards the legal rights of all parties involved.

They over trials or hearings and listening as attorneys represent their clients. Judges rule on the admissibility of evidence and the methods of conducting testimony, and they may be called on to settle disputes between opposing attorneys. Also, they ensure that rules and procedures are followed, and if unusual circumstances arise for which standard procedures have not been established, judges interpret the law to determine how the trial will proceed.

Judges often hold pretrial hearings for cases. They listen to allegations and determine whether the evidence presented merits a trial. In criminal cases, judges may decide that people charged with crimes should be held in jail pending trial, or they may set conditions for their release. In civil cases, judges and magistrates occasionally impose restrictions on the parties until a trial is held.

Many State court judges only hear certain types of cases. A variety of titles are assigned to these judges; among the most common are municipal court judge, county court judge, magistrate, and justice of the peace. Administrative law judges, sometimes called hearing officers or adjudicators, are employed by government agencies to make determinations for administrative agencies. Some people work as arbitrators, mediators, or conciliators instead of as judges or magistrates. They assist with alternative dispute resolution—processes used to settle disputes outside of court.

Employment Situation

Overall employment of judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers is expected to grow 4 percent between 2006-and 2016, slower than the average for all occupations. Budgetary pressures at all levels of government are expected to hold down the hiring of judges, despite rising caseloads, particularly in Federal courts. However, the continued need to cope with crime and settle disputes, as well as the public’s willingness to go to court to settle disputes, should spur demand for judges.

Judges and magistrates are expected encounter competition for jobs because of the prestige associated with serving on the bench. Judges, magistrates, and magistrate judges held 27,000 jobs, all in State and local governments. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers held 15,000 jobs, with 59 percent in State governments, 22 percent in the Federal Government, and 19 percent in local governments. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators held another 8,500 jobs. Approximately 29 percent worked for State and local governments.

Education Outlook

bachelor’s degree and work experience are the minimum requirements for a judgeship or magistrate position, but most workers have law degrees, and some are elected. Most judges have first been lawyers. In fact, Federal and State judges usually are required to be lawyers, which means that they have attended law school and passed an examination. About 40 states allow nonlawyers to hold limited-jurisdiction judgeships, but opportunities are better for those with law experience. Training for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is available through independent mediation programs, national and local mediation membership organizations, and postsecondary schools.

Salary Expectations for Judges

Judges had median annual earnings of $101,690 in May 2006. ranging between more than $145,600 to less than $29,540. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of judges in May 2006 were $117,760 in state government and $74,630 in local government. Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earned a median of $72,600, while arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators earned a median of $49,490.

Related Information

• Find all advertised Jobs for Judges.
• Find a Law school near you.