How to become a judge

Becoming a judge is difficult and needs hard work, but it can lead to a rewarding career. A judge’s position is at the top of the jurisprudential order and is among the most prestigious professions. A Judge’s job entails significant responsibility and can be extremely beneficial for one’s career. If you want to learn how to become a judge, this blog will review the essential steps.

What Is the Role of a Judge?

A Judge, also known as the ‘custodian of the constitution,’ is someone who has authority in courtroom procedures. A judge’s powers and responsibilities vary depending on the jurisdiction. Each case brought before a court carries a variety of values, emotions, and stakes.

A judge is in charge of deciding the destiny of both the complainant and the accused. While some tasks are performed in the courtroom during trials, much of the work, such as obtaining opinions, conducting research, and discussing cases, is done behind closed doors in chambers.

Judges’ primary tasks include the following

• Supervising trials and listening to prosecutors’ and defendants’ allegations, witness testimony, and so forth.
• A judge will also inform/remind the defendant/plaintiff of their legal rights.
• The judge also has the authority to determine evidentiary admissibility.
• They also provide instructions to the jury and decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.
• The sentences or punishments meted out to the guilty are then decided by a judge. They also decide how long the punishment will be.
• The chief justice’s decision is definitive. All of these conclusions are based on a thorough grasp of the trial.

Apart from these duties in the courtroom, a judge is the constitutional guardian and protector of fundamental rights. The judiciary will evaluate any state or central government conflict while all rights and laws are upheld.

A judicial system is mostly integrated, including the Supreme Court or apex court at the top (national level), high courts, and subordinate courts (state level). As each court has its own group of judges, the qualifications and powers of each court differ.

Obtaining a Legal Degree

The first step toward a judge’s job is obtaining a law degree. An undergraduate degree in law, or an LLB degree, is required for success in the subject.

Several prestigious law schools throughout the world offer LLB courses.

The CLAT exam is required for admission to prominent law schools in India.

However, if you intend to pursue legal studies at elite universities such as Harvard, Yale, Oxford, or Cambridge, you must obtain a valid LSAT score. Preparing for the LSAT might be a stressful job, but passing the exam will undoubtedly ensure you the best education in the legal field.

The following is a list of the world’s top law schools to which you can gain admission with a high LSAT score

• Harvard University
• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• Yale University
• Stanford University
• The University of Melbourne
• LSE
• University of California–Berkeley
• Columbia University
• New York University

Skills Required

• Certain prerequisites must be met to obtain the power and position to strike that gavel.
• Qualifications and experience are insufficient.
• Due to the sensitivity of cases and the complexities inherent in jurisprudence, the function of a judge is crucial.
• Specialists choose candidates for a judgeship in the field and assess their qualifications based on various criteria.

In addition to meeting the position requirements, the candidate should have the following skills

• Critical reasoning skills
• Objective analysis
• Careful listening skills
• Unbiased decision making
• Reading comprehension
• Empathy
• Writing skills

Benefits of a career as a judge

• It is a prestigious post with a high level of responsibility.
• You can help the country by becoming a judge.
• A career as a judge will undoubtedly provide financial and employment security.
• You will have ample time to balance your personal and professional lives.
• It is a powerful position with numerous benefits.
• It gives the ability to erode the evils that exist in society.
• It is a force capable of defending humans.

Judge’s Progression in Career

District court judges- The district court judges hear complaints from defense and prosecution parties. They preside over a trial or hearing, serve as an unbiased referee, and appoint a jury. They judge whether the defendants are guilty or innocent.

High court judge-It appears that the high court judge has the authority to investigate and prosecute civil and criminal cases in the original or appellate jurisdiction. The high court judges supervise the lower courts and provide recommendations at the request of the district judge.

Supreme court judge- The supreme court judge reviews appeals from high court judgments and other legal declarations. He or she resolves conflicts between government agencies, state governments, and any state government.

Key takeaways

• Law graduates are eligible for work in all three levels of government, namely the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Therefore, legal degrees can lead to various job opportunities. 
• Becoming a judge is difficult and time-consuming, but it can lead to a rewarding career. A judge’s position is at the top of the jurisprudential order and is among the most prestigious professions.
• You need certain prerequisites to obtain the power and position of a judge. Due to the sensitive cases and the complex jurisprudence, a judge’s function is crucial as they have to take all these responsibilities.

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FAQs

Q1. How many years does it take to become a judge in India?

Ans- A LLB/LLM degree is required, and the candidate must be a citizen of India. He/she must be held at a judicial office in India for ten years or as an advocate in a high court for ten years.

Q2. What is the age of the youngest judge?

Ans- Jasmine Twitty is America’s youngest serving associate judge.

At 25, Twitty was appointed as an Associate Judge in the municipal court in Easley, South Carolina. She earned a political science degree from Charleston College.

Q3. Is the job of a judge hard?

Ans- Working as a judge is a noble and prestigious career that pays handsomely.

Typically, becoming a judge requires years of hard effort in legal practice.