Judges, Magistrate 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.
Also known as: Administrative Court Justice, Appeals Specialist, Appellate Court Judge, Appellate Immigration Judge, Ballot Processing Judge, Bankruptcy Judge, Chancery Master, Chief Judge, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)
What You'd 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.
- Write decisions on cases.
- Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
- Settle disputes between opposing attorneys.
- Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court's administrative staff.
- Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.
- Issue arrest warrants.
- Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
- Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
- Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.
- Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.
- Perform wedding ceremonies.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
Related Careers
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.