What You'll Do

  • Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
  • Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
  • Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
  • Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
  • Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
  • Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
  • Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
  • Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
  • Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
  • Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 5.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.88/5
Reading Comprehension 4.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 4.25/5
Writing 4.12/5
Speaking 4.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.12/5
Active Learning 4.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 4.0/5
Monitoring 3.88/5
Time Management 3.38/5
Negotiation 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Integrity, Stress Tolerance, Self-Control, Dependability, Attention to Detail

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.62/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.62/5
Written Comprehension 4.38/5
Oral Expression 4.25/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.25/5
Written Expression 4.12/5
Speech Clarity 4.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Courtroom scheduling software Email software Hyland OnBase Enterprise Content Management Instant messaging software LexisNexis LinkedIn Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft operating system Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Online databases Thomson Reuters Westlaw Videoconferencing software Web browser software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.96/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.92/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.88/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.87/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.86/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Administrative Court Justice Appellate Court Judge Appellate Immigration Judge Ballot Processing Judge Bankruptcy Judge Chancery Master Chief Judge Circuit Court Judge Circuit Judge County Court Judge County Judge Court of Appeals Judge Criminal Court Judge Criminal Judge District Court Judge District Judge Election Judge General Magistrate Immigration Judge Judge Jurist Justice Justice of the Peace Juvenile Court Judge Legal Referee Magisterial District Judge Magistrate Magistrate Judge Municipal Court Judge Municipal Court Magistrate Municipal Judge Police Judge Police Justice Police Magistrate Presiding Judge Probate Judge Restorative Justice Coordinator Superior Court Judge Superior Court Justice Trial Court Judge Trial Justice Tribal Judge