What Do Judges and Magistrates Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Judges and Magistrates

Judges and Magistrates arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

Salary
$131850
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Judges and Magistrates arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies. They also rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.

Other tasks include:

  • Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
  • Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
  • Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.
  • Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
  • Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
  • Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.

We asked Judges and Magistrates how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

72%

How meaningful is this job

47%


72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Judges and Magistrates supervise other judges, court officers, and the court’s administrative staff. They read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.

A typical day for a Judge, Magistrate Judge and Magistrate will also include:

  • 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.
  • Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
  • Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.

We asked some Judges and Magistrates a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 75% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 41% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 96% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 84% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 40% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 86% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Judges and Magistrates also instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts. They may also rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Judges and Magistrates Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court. They might also Write decisions on cases.

In addition, they Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.

To some Judges and Magistrates, it is also their responsibility to Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Judge, Magistrate Judge and Magistrate, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Judges and Magistrates work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
99%


Never
1%


Do Judges and Magistrates work outdoors?

Never
93%


Once a month
7%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Entrepreneurs and The Helpers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Judges and Magistrates

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Related to Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates Job Description

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Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/legal/judges-and-hearing-officers.htm
http://www.ncsc.org/
http://www.uscourts.gov/Home.aspx
http://www.judges.org/


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