How to Become a Court Judge

Become a Judge

The path to becoming a judge is a long journey, which entails character development, education, training and experience. Most judges have a Juris Doctor degree and have practiced law as an attorney, and all have passed their state's bar exam. Judges can either be appointed or elected after having at least 10 years of professional law experience.

Things You'll Need

• Juris Doctor degree
• Ten years of legal experience

Instructions

Preparation

1. You will need at minimum a four-year degree from an accredited college and legal experience. Although most judges have graduated from law school, 40 states do not require a J.D. degree to handle limited jurisdiction judgeships. But judicial appointments are competitive, so it is wise complete a three-year law program.

   To be accepted to law school, your undergraduate grade point average should be high as well as having high scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). A prestigious law school can help you make contacts that will help later in your career.

   After graduation, you must still pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice.

2. Start now to develop your personal qualities and enhance your professional reputation. You should possess exemplary character traits to become a judge, including a high degree of integrity, sense of fairness, impartiality, diligence, patience and commitment to serving the public interest.

   Any impropriety may come up later, in an election or judicial screening process.

3. Become a practicing attorney. Most state and federal judges are required to be lawyers.

   Get litigation experience, which provides credibility, although it is not absolutely necessary. Political affiliations are no longer a prerequisite, but could be helpful in getting votes during a judicial election.

   Prepare for judgeship by learning the area of the law where you intend to preside, for example family law or criminal law, but also attain broad knowledge about the law to be prepared for whatever comes your way.

4. Apply for a judgeship once you have several years of legal experience. Every state has different licensing and training requirements. Check to see which judicial positions are elected or appointed in your state. Some states have residency requirements.

   Judicial training is available through the American Bar Association, National Center for State Courts and National Judicial College. Judicial announcements can be found in the newspaper, law journals and on court websites. You may need to be recommended through judicial screenings committees.

   You must be appointed to become a federal judge. This is where your networking savvy comes in. During your career, you should have developed a stellar reputation for integrity and fairness, making you an outstanding candidate.

   Federal administrative must also pass a difficult examination given by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management

5. Prepare to launch a campaign. You might have to run a campaign where judges are elected, which entails printing and distributing literature, buying advertising and public speaking engagements. In this case, it may require a financial investment as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Build a stellar reputation as an attorney, so you will be recognized by your peers and elected officials.

• Be careful to guard your personal reputation. Do not break the law, whether traffic violation or drug possession.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor
• The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
• WikiAnswers