| Most of us wonder about how to become a | | | | orientation for recently elected judges. The |
| judge? Or what is the selection criterion to | | | | American Bar Association, The Federal Judicial |
| become eligible as a judge? Becoming a judge | | | | Center, National Center for State courts, and the |
| requires more than just a bachelor’s degree. | | | | National Judicial College, all offer judicial training and |
| There are few steps that you need to take to | | | | education for the judges. General education |
| become a judge. | | | | courses take about 1 to 3 weeks. More than 50% |
| Judges oversee and apply the legal process in the | | | | of entire state including Puerto Rico needs its |
| courtroom. Judges and magistrates supervise the | | | | judges to undergo a continuing education program |
| cases that concern all aspects of our society, | | | | when serving on bench. |
| from traffic offense to matters relating to the | | | | The mediators, arbitrators and conciliators do not |
| rights of big corporations, to disagreement over | | | | have to fulfill any license and credential |
| the organization of professional sports. Judicial | | | | requirements. Some states just need their |
| workers must make sure that hearings and trials | | | | arbitrators to be lawyers. There are some states |
| are carried fairly and that court protects the | | | | that want the judges to certify or register. |
| legitimate rights of the different parties involved. | | | | The magistrates must be elected or appointed. |
| Work experience and a bachelor’s degree are | | | | Such election demands political support. The |
| enough to fulfill the minimum requirements for | | | | Federal administrative judges are appointed by |
| magistrates and judges, but most people have | | | | different federal agencies on a life time tenure |
| degrees in law, and some are selected. The | | | | basis. The magistrate judges are elected by the |
| training essentials for the mediators, arbitrators | | | | district judges and serve the district court for |
| and conciliators vary. | | | | eight years. |
| Training and Education | | | | Here are some quick facts to consider while you |
| In order to become a judge you will first have to | | | | consider a career as a Judge: There were more |
| practice as a lawyer. The state and federal | | | | than 51000 jobs held for the judges and other |
| judges generally are required to attend law school | | | | judicial workers in 2006. Judges, magistrate |
| and pass the requisite examination. 40 states | | | | judges and magistrate held over 27000 jobs in |
| permit non-lawyers to have restricted jurisdiction | | | | local and state government. The jobs for judges |
| judgeships, but individuals with experience in law | | | | and magistrate are expected to increase in the |
| have better chances. The federal administrative | | | | coming 10 years. Not to forget the status and |
| law judge must have experience as a lawyer and | | | | the reputation the judges enjoy along with great |
| clear the competitive examination held by US | | | | salary and compensations. So, a career as a |
| office of personnel management. | | | | Judge can be an exciting and fantastic career. |
| All states have similar or different kind of | | | | |