Judge / Magistrate Judge / Magistrate

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Circuit Court Judge; Circuit Judge; County Judge; Court of Appeals Judge; District Court Judge; Judge; Justice of the Peace; Magisterial District Judge; Magistrate; Superior Court Judge

Tasks

• Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
• Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
• Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
• Write decisions on cases.
• Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
• 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.
• Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
• Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
• Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
• Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
• Issue arrest warrants.
• Settle disputes between opposing attorneys.
• Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.
• Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court's administrative staff.

Knowledge

• Law and Government
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Psychology
• Customer and Personal Service
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Selective Attention