<p>Basically what the title says. Are there specific degrees, exams?</p>
<p>Becoming a judge is not something one studies for. Becoming a judge is often the reward for establishing yourself in the legal profession and knowledgeable, ethical, hardworking, and fair-minded. Also, there is a huge amount of politics involved in some states, as judges in some jurisdictions begin their judgeship by being appointed by the Governor, or nominated by the President if you are seeking a federal appointment. Finally, in some states you can run for a judgeship just like any other political office, albeit with certain different ethical rules about what you can and cannot do campaigning.</p>
<p>Just look in the local paper for cities or counties hiring judges. They put up ads every other week or so. But seriously, if you have to even ask this question, then you have no shot at becoming a judge. Most judges are appointed by a governor/president or are elected by a vote of the public. You would have to be a well respected atty for 15-20 years before you would even get enough respect of your peers to even consider running for judge.<br>
Concerneddad: In Ohio at least you can campaign for judge. We get bombarded around campaign time with commercials for 'x' candidate running for some judgeship that you barely have heard of. I would venture to say everytime I have voted in Cleveland, nearly 60-75% of the ballot was for judges.</p>
<p>joev, yes I know that you can run as a candidate in some states, but there are certain restraints placed on judicial candidate, that are not placed on politicians. Generally those running for the bench talk about their qualifications, not their opponents short comings.</p>
<p>BTW, Rabo is young and is at least asking questions. I would not be so quick to think that Rabo's future ambitions are out the window. I would rather deal with a 100 inquisitive kids than 1 know-it-all. Off my soap box now.</p>
<p>There's an old saying :the most sure-fire route to becoming a judge is to room with a future politician in law school.</p>
<p>In California, the most reliable path to becoming a judge seems to be to get a job as an assistant district attorney (in other words a prosecutor), and become politically active. After a few years, you let your political friends know you're interested in becoming a judge, and if you're lucky, you get nominated.</p>
<p>You do have to run to retain your position after you're initially appointed, but it's rare that anyone beats a sitting judge in an election.</p>
<p>Your odds are probably better if you practice in county with a relatively small population (of people in general, and of lawyers).</p>
<p>Becoming a federal judge is more difficult by an order of magnitude. You're appointed by the President (usually on the recommendation of a senator from your state), and confirmed by the Senate. You then have life-time tenure, meaning you can only be removed from office after impeachment by the House for high crimes and misdemeanors, and conviction by a 2/3 vote of the Senate. (Technically, I'm talking about Article 3 judges; there are certain other federal judges, such as in bankruptcy courts, that aren't covered by the above.)</p>
<p>But are covered by administrative law courses! Sorry, off topic.</p>
<p>That's actually a question I was wondering about as well. I had heard that being a DA was a good route to getting a judgeship - that and getting to know politicians as they are up-and-coming, so they appoint you when they are established.</p>
<p>Well I want to be judge judy.</p>
<p>she owns all judges period.</p>
<p>baller4lyfe, I've lost all respect for you. What little you had left, of course. Haha, just kidding. I used to watch her when I was 13 or so, imagine my disappointment when I found out she wasn't a real judge and that all the cases brought before her "court" were fluffy. I don't like TV courts. They're really arbitration.</p>
<p>I hate how judge judy talks down to people on her show. I have been to many court cases and have NEVER seen a judge treat a defendant like that. (Unless they got smart or made snide comment)</p>
<p>In Minnesota you run for judge but the campaigns are restricted. Our Governor- who is terrible at his job (another story. sorry)- has a wife who is a judge, and she couldn't even appear in HIS commercials when he was campaigning.</p>
<p>It's called TV folks!</p>
<p>In Texas our system is fairly straightforward. The Trial Lawyers and/or Criminal Defense bar pick a candidate, and the Insurance Defense bar and/or Law Enforcement pick another. The campaign is expensive ,long, and sometimes not too pretty and always funded wholly by people with a pecuniary interest in cases before the court. The local newspaper and local bar associations endorse one candidate or the other for no apparent reason and with no apparent effect . On election day the public votes for "Gene Kelley", or "Paul Neumann" or "Lyndon G. Johnson" and continues to elect them for 40 years or until they turn to dust. It works for us.</p>
<p>emsibdn, what do you mean she's not a real judge?</p>
<p>what do you mean by 'real' ?</p>
<p>what she's not like one of those true judges is that what you're saying?</p>
<p>i watch Judge Judy almost every day when i get home from class, and altough she can be a little crazy at times, she knows how to get her point across.</p>
<p>the reason she yells and has everything so fast-paced and in yo
face style in the court is because this is how viewers would wach the show more......as opposed to judge mathis or someone who talks normal and soft...</p>
<p>sometimes I figured she didn't let others speak and hence may have not been fair enough....but only some times..</p>
<p>in any case, i bet you she's the richest judge in america !</p>
<p>joev, haha, i guess it's cause she's an angry woman ! lol don't you hear her little jokes she makes while court is in session?</p>