HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical pathway often starts in high school with strong marks in English, Social Studies, and Math, plus activities that build clear writing, public speaking, leadership, and critical thinking. Many students then complete a bachelor’s degree, often in any field, before entering a law program such as a Juris Doctor (JD), though admission details vary by university. After law school, people usually gain experience as lawyers and build deep knowledge of court procedures and legal reasoning. Some judges also develop experience in specific areas like criminal, civil, or family law before being appointed.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Preside over courts of law, interpret and enforce rules of procedure and make rulings regarding the admissibility of evidence
- Instruct the jury on laws that are applicable to the case
- Weigh and consider evidence in non-jury trials and decide legal guilt or innocence or degree of liability of the accused or defendant
- Pass sentence on persons convicted in criminal cases and determine damages or other appropriate remedy in civil cases
- Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses
- Determine custody of children between contesting parents and other guardians
- Enforce court orders for access or support
- Supervise other judges and court officers.
- Judges may specialize in particular areas of law such as civil, criminal or family law.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Community involvementCommittee workInterpersonal skillsLeadership