Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Human Advantage 81%
Strongly human-essential role
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.7 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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, Appellate Court Judge, Appellate Immigration Judge, Ballot Processing Judge, Bankruptcy Judge, Chancery Master, Chief Judge, Circuit Court Judge +34 more
Core 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.
Supplemental Tasks (6)
- Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
- Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
- Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.
- Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.
- Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal issues through the media and public speeches.
- Perform wedding ceremonies.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Issue search or arrest warrants.
Education & Training
Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (18)
Tools & Equipment (13)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Judicial Systems Education
Zone 4
Interpreters and Translators 77% match
Zone 5
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