Should I become a judge?

Have you ever wished you were Judge Judy?

As a judge, you're a recognized legal professional.

Learning more about the career can help you determine if it's the right path for you.

A judge oversees a trial or hearing by serving as an impartial referee, making decisions on which arguments, questions and evidence are admissible (valid or legally allowed).

• Judges will sometimes hand down a ruling (decision on the case), and determine the sentence (punishment) during trials.

• Some judges hear cases alone and decide by themselves, while others work with other judges to deliver rulings based on majority rule.

• In the US, some judges are elected officials and also do similar campaigning as politicians.

• Many federal judicial positions require legislative confirmation and are lifetime appointments.

There's a relatively set path for becoming a judge:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree in any subject

2. Take the Law School Admission Test

3. Attend law school and earn a Juris Doctorate (a fancy name for a law degree)

4. Pass the bar exam

5. Create your resume (focus on legal skills and experiences)

6. Consider becoming a clerk (working for a judge will help you understand the job)

7. Practice law

8. Earn your judgeship — elected or appointed

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

Photo by Jon Sailer on Unsplash

Judges in the United States make an average of $89,000/USD a year .  The range is from $14,000 to $222,000 per year based on full-time employment. Some judges can be part-time as well.

Photo by Praveen Kumar Nandagiri on Unsplash

Judges in Canada average $100,000/CAD year . The range is from $88,000 to $140,000 CAD a year. Canadian judges are also full-time for the most part as well.

You'll love it if you:

• Like to have a respected position in society

• Can decide cases fairly

• Want to help people resolve disputes

• Don't like dealing with clients

• Want a chance to shape the law

This might not be for you if:

• Having a heavy workload is troubling

• You don't want to deal with lawyers, defendants, and law all day

• You don't want to be in the public eye

• You don't have patience explaining things to people

Do you already have some of the skills?

1. Critical Thinking 🧐

2. Writing ✍🏼

3. Resolving Conflict ⚖

4. Analyzing the law 🧾📜

If you're interested in becoming a judge: