A judge is the chief of a legal court, presiding over proceedings and eventually passing judgment or dictating the terms of a sentence. There are several paths to becoming a judge, depending on the legal system in place in a country. People in this position in countries with common law legal systems, such as the United States, are attorneys who may have received additional training. Judges are specially trained legal professionals who, depending on how the law is laid out, sit on inquisitorial panels or oversee local courts in a country with civil law, such as France.
In either system, being a judge necessitates a thorough understanding of the law as well as the ability to remain completely impartial in a case. When considering a case, he or she should focus on the letter of the law rather than personal feelings, and be prepared to work long hours for less pay than most attorneys. If a judge is unable to be impartial, he or she should apply to be removed from the case in order to ensure that justice is served.
A person who wants to be a judge in a common law system should first become a lawyer. While studying to be a lawyer, the candidate should consider what type of judge he or she wants to be. Local trial judges, as well as state and federal judges, oversee basic criminal trials. Each step up the judicial ladder necessitates a greater understanding of the law. There are also appeals judges who are experts in appeals cases. Someone who works as a trial judge may see a wide range of cases, while others specialize in family law, bankruptcy, or small claims.
Many aspiring judges practice law for a while after graduating from law school before moving on to the next step. There are two ways to become a judge: run for public office or apply for a judgeship. Vacancies in some local courts are filled by elected attorneys who, like any other politician, must run a campaign. Other vacancies are filled through a competitive application process, which can be intense, and a judge should expect to apply multiple times before being selected. He or she will attend an orientation course after being appointed, and should plan on attending periodic workshops and classes to keep the position.
These legal experts receive separate legal training in a civil law system, where judges decide the outcome of cases without the involvement of juries. A potential judge may choose to become a lawyer before undergoing this training in many cases, but it is not required. Judges can apply for court positions after they have completed their training.