Judges

Throughout world history judges have had an affect on what the future or outcome of the world should be. Back then in history it wasn't so hard to become a judge but in today's society you must go through many procedures to become a certified judge. Once you become a judge many duties and task are in hand.

Judges preside over local, state and federal courts and are either appointed or elected. Federal judges are appointed for life, while the others serve for fixed, renewable terms. First become an attorney by obtaining a degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.). You must then pass your state's bar examination and gain experience practicing law. Then decide if you would really make a good judge. Ask judges and other legal professionals you know for their honest opinions. Then apply for a judgeship when there is an opening in a court of your preference. The procedure for this will vary, depending on the type of court and where you live.

To begin the process, when a vacancy occurs, judges must submit their resumes for review. The panel first addressed disqualifying factors for judgeships. A criminal record, D.U.I. or a mortgage foreclosure could doom an application for a judgeship. The panel also recommended that judicial applicants get a copy of their credit report and fix any problems prior to submitting their application. Applicants are asked to list twenty attorneys they have worked with as opposing counsel, as well as to provide references. In this case, it is important to contact people the applicant knows well, as opposed to people who might be more prestigious, but who will not give the applicant a good reference. It is not appropriate for the applicant to contact members of the Committee or the Governor directly, it is however, appropriate for others to contact members of the Judicial Nominating Committee for the purposes of endorsing the applicant. It is important, when contacting members of the Committee, to provide them with specific criteria showing why the applicant would be a good judge. The first meeting of the Judicial Nominating Committee, there is usually a public comment period. This is the time when people from the community or organizations can address the Judicial Nominating Committee. Since judges are appointed for a certain period of time, anywhere from one year to a lifetime appointment, it is important that the selected judge be highly qualified and honest. Selecting the wrong judge means that for a possibly long period of time that judge may make poor rulings that adversely impact the administration of justice.

Another way to place judges on the bench is by election. Judges could be elected either from the general population or by elections among lawyers or among the judiciary. The advantage of elections is that the people have a direct say in the process. The disadvantage is that the judges might allow political considerations to effect their decisions, particularly if they are up for re-election in the near future. Judicial qualifications are probably the easiest and least controversial part of the process for placing judges into the judiciary ranks. The method of appointment or the use of elections in choosing judges, each has their own advantages and disadvantages.

Once put on the bench of judges many tasks are to come along. In a trial by jury, the judge's job is to referee the trial and provide neutral legal advice to the jury, beginning with a full and truthful explanation of a juror's rights

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