3 answers
Shree
Student
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Questions
Asked
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What does the everyday routine of a judge look like ?
Hello.
I am in 12th standard currently and my subjects are Political Science, History, Economics, English and Psychology, although I am particularly drawn to Political Science, History and English. I want to pursue a career in law and I'm specifically attracted towards joining the judiciary but I am uncertain of what being a judge would entail or if I am fit for this job at all. So could you please provide me some insight into what the everyday routine of a judge looks like ?
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3 answers
Amit Mittal
Officer at Citibank
96
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Amit’s Answer
Hello Shree!
It’s great to hear about your interest in pursuing a career in law and the judiciary. Here’s some information about the life of a judge, particularly a Civil Judge in India:
Judicial Training: After clearing the judicial services examination, the selected candidates undergo rigorous training where they are taught about court procedures, judgment writing, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Indian Evidence Act, and other relevant laws.
Daily Routine: A judge’s daily routine can vary, but it typically involves the following:
Case Preparation: Before court proceedings begin, judges usually spend time preparing for the day’s cases. This involves reading case files, studying legal briefs, and researching legal issues.
Court Proceedings: Judges preside over court proceedings, which may include pre-trial hearings, bail hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings. They ensure that the proceedings are conducted fairly and that the rights of all parties are protected.
Decision Making: Judges make decisions on a variety of matters, including motions to dismiss cases, motions for summary judgment, and motions to suppress evidence. They also make final decisions in cases, either by issuing a verdict in a bench trial or by overseeing jury deliberations in a jury trial.
Administrative Duties: Judges also have administrative responsibilities. They may manage court staff, oversee court budgets, and handle other administrative tasks related to the operation of the court.
Skills Required: Being a judge requires a deep understanding of the law and legal principles. It also requires strong analytical skills to interpret laws and apply them to specific cases. Judges must have excellent communication skills as they need to explain complex legal issues in clear and understandable language. They also need patience and impartiality to deal with people from all walks of life and to make fair decisions.
Remember that being a judge can be challenging as it involves making tough decisions that can significantly impact people’s lives. However, it can also be rewarding as you have the opportunity to uphold justice and contribute to society.
I hope this gives you some insight into what being a judge entails! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.
It’s great to hear about your interest in pursuing a career in law and the judiciary. Here’s some information about the life of a judge, particularly a Civil Judge in India:
Judicial Training: After clearing the judicial services examination, the selected candidates undergo rigorous training where they are taught about court procedures, judgment writing, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Indian Evidence Act, and other relevant laws.
Daily Routine: A judge’s daily routine can vary, but it typically involves the following:
Case Preparation: Before court proceedings begin, judges usually spend time preparing for the day’s cases. This involves reading case files, studying legal briefs, and researching legal issues.
Court Proceedings: Judges preside over court proceedings, which may include pre-trial hearings, bail hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings. They ensure that the proceedings are conducted fairly and that the rights of all parties are protected.
Decision Making: Judges make decisions on a variety of matters, including motions to dismiss cases, motions for summary judgment, and motions to suppress evidence. They also make final decisions in cases, either by issuing a verdict in a bench trial or by overseeing jury deliberations in a jury trial.
Administrative Duties: Judges also have administrative responsibilities. They may manage court staff, oversee court budgets, and handle other administrative tasks related to the operation of the court.
Skills Required: Being a judge requires a deep understanding of the law and legal principles. It also requires strong analytical skills to interpret laws and apply them to specific cases. Judges must have excellent communication skills as they need to explain complex legal issues in clear and understandable language. They also need patience and impartiality to deal with people from all walks of life and to make fair decisions.
Remember that being a judge can be challenging as it involves making tough decisions that can significantly impact people’s lives. However, it can also be rewarding as you have the opportunity to uphold justice and contribute to society.
I hope this gives you some insight into what being a judge entails! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.
Thankyou for answering my question sir!
Shree
Mackenzie Ward
associate
103
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Mackenzie’s Answer
The everyday routine of a judge can vary depending on their specific jurisdiction, court type, and caseload but here is a general overview of what the daily routine of a judge may entail:
**1. Preparation:** Judges typically start their day by reviewing the cases and matters scheduled for the day. This includes reading case files, legal briefs, motions, and relevant legal research to understand the issues and arguments presented by the parties.
**2. Court Proceedings:** Judges spend a significant portion of their day presiding over court proceedings. This can include:
- **Hearings:** Judges conduct hearings to listen to arguments, receive evidence, and make decisions on various legal matters. These can range from bail hearings in criminal cases to hearings on motions in civil cases.
- **Trials:** If a case goes to trial, the judge presides over the proceedings, ensures that both sides follow the rules of evidence and procedure, and makes rulings on legal issues as they arise.
- **Sentencing:** In criminal cases where a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, the judge may conduct a sentencing hearing to determine the appropriate punishment.
**3. Legal Research:** Judges may conduct legal research to better understand complex legal issues or to verify legal precedents when making decisions.
**4. Consultation:** Judges may have discussions with their clerks, law clerks, or judicial staff to review cases, draft opinions, and discuss legal issues.
**5. Writing Opinions:** Judges often spend time writing legal opinions that explain their decisions in cases. These opinions serve as legal precedents and provide the rationale for the court's decision.
**6. Administrative Duties:** Judges also have administrative responsibilities, which may include managing court dockets, scheduling cases, and ensuring court operations run smoothly.
**7. Meetings:** Judges may participate in meetings with other judges, court administrators, or legal professionals to discuss court policies, procedures, and issues affecting the legal system.
**8. Lunch and Breaks:** Like any professional, judges take breaks and have lunch during their workday.
**9. After-Hours Work:** Depending on their caseload and court responsibilities, judges may need to work beyond regular business hours to review cases, prepare for the next day's proceedings, or attend evening events related to the legal community.
**10. Continuing Legal Education:** Judges are often required to engage in ongoing legal education to stay current with changes in the law and to maintain their judicial competence.
**11. Public Engagement:** Some judges may participate in community outreach, legal education programs, or public speaking engagements to promote understanding of the legal system and to engage with the public.
It's important to note that the specific duties and schedule of a judge can vary widely based on the type of court they preside over (e.g., federal, state, municipal, family court) and the volume and complexity of cases in their jurisdiction. Additionally, judges must balance their role as impartial decision-makers with administrative responsibilities and their commitment to upholding the rule of law.
**1. Preparation:** Judges typically start their day by reviewing the cases and matters scheduled for the day. This includes reading case files, legal briefs, motions, and relevant legal research to understand the issues and arguments presented by the parties.
**2. Court Proceedings:** Judges spend a significant portion of their day presiding over court proceedings. This can include:
- **Hearings:** Judges conduct hearings to listen to arguments, receive evidence, and make decisions on various legal matters. These can range from bail hearings in criminal cases to hearings on motions in civil cases.
- **Trials:** If a case goes to trial, the judge presides over the proceedings, ensures that both sides follow the rules of evidence and procedure, and makes rulings on legal issues as they arise.
- **Sentencing:** In criminal cases where a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, the judge may conduct a sentencing hearing to determine the appropriate punishment.
**3. Legal Research:** Judges may conduct legal research to better understand complex legal issues or to verify legal precedents when making decisions.
**4. Consultation:** Judges may have discussions with their clerks, law clerks, or judicial staff to review cases, draft opinions, and discuss legal issues.
**5. Writing Opinions:** Judges often spend time writing legal opinions that explain their decisions in cases. These opinions serve as legal precedents and provide the rationale for the court's decision.
**6. Administrative Duties:** Judges also have administrative responsibilities, which may include managing court dockets, scheduling cases, and ensuring court operations run smoothly.
**7. Meetings:** Judges may participate in meetings with other judges, court administrators, or legal professionals to discuss court policies, procedures, and issues affecting the legal system.
**8. Lunch and Breaks:** Like any professional, judges take breaks and have lunch during their workday.
**9. After-Hours Work:** Depending on their caseload and court responsibilities, judges may need to work beyond regular business hours to review cases, prepare for the next day's proceedings, or attend evening events related to the legal community.
**10. Continuing Legal Education:** Judges are often required to engage in ongoing legal education to stay current with changes in the law and to maintain their judicial competence.
**11. Public Engagement:** Some judges may participate in community outreach, legal education programs, or public speaking engagements to promote understanding of the legal system and to engage with the public.
It's important to note that the specific duties and schedule of a judge can vary widely based on the type of court they preside over (e.g., federal, state, municipal, family court) and the volume and complexity of cases in their jurisdiction. Additionally, judges must balance their role as impartial decision-makers with administrative responsibilities and their commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Thankyou so much for answering!
Shree
Beth Gallery
Finance Manager
4
Answers
Libertyville, Illinois
Updated
Beth’s Answer
Hi Shree,
I love that you're thinking about this. Becoming a judge is very different from country to country and potentially even from state to state within a country. I live in Illinois, USA, and I asked one of my friends who is a clerk for a judge here what a day looks like. This is what he said:
In order to become a judge in Illinois, you must first become a lawyer-which requires you to graduate from law school and pass a test (the bar exam). Most judges have several years of experience being a lawyer (10 years or more) before they are appointed or elected to serve as a judge.
A typical judge's day involves reviewing the court call. The court call is a list of cases that have been assigned to the judge from the chief judge. The judge hears information on each case and decides whether it can be resolved immediately or should be postponed for a future date. For example, a judge in traffic court may begin the day with three cases. In case 1, the State may request that the case be dismissed because they are not able to present any witnesses against the defendant. The judge can dismiss the case immediately.
In case 2, either the State or the defendant may request more time to prepare for the case. The judge may order a continuance, which delays further proceedings for a couple of weeks.
In case 3, the defendant may request a jury trial. The judge then postpones the case until the afternoon so that a jury can be selected and a trial can be held on the charges against the defendant.
A typical court call consists of dozens of cases. That is a typical day for a judge.
Good luck!
I love that you're thinking about this. Becoming a judge is very different from country to country and potentially even from state to state within a country. I live in Illinois, USA, and I asked one of my friends who is a clerk for a judge here what a day looks like. This is what he said:
In order to become a judge in Illinois, you must first become a lawyer-which requires you to graduate from law school and pass a test (the bar exam). Most judges have several years of experience being a lawyer (10 years or more) before they are appointed or elected to serve as a judge.
A typical judge's day involves reviewing the court call. The court call is a list of cases that have been assigned to the judge from the chief judge. The judge hears information on each case and decides whether it can be resolved immediately or should be postponed for a future date. For example, a judge in traffic court may begin the day with three cases. In case 1, the State may request that the case be dismissed because they are not able to present any witnesses against the defendant. The judge can dismiss the case immediately.
In case 2, either the State or the defendant may request more time to prepare for the case. The judge may order a continuance, which delays further proceedings for a couple of weeks.
In case 3, the defendant may request a jury trial. The judge then postpones the case until the afternoon so that a jury can be selected and a trial can be held on the charges against the defendant.
A typical court call consists of dozens of cases. That is a typical day for a judge.
Good luck!
Thankyou so much for taking out the time and answering my question.
Shree