Q&A for How to Become a Judge

If you're short on time, you should reschedule your test. Cramming the studies for the LSAT is not really a good idea. People who just take the test cold or who prep for only a week or two are usually not successful.

Is there a particular reason you felt the need to read this article? It's nice that you did but you don't have to follow anything you read online unless it's suitable for you. You may like to know that judges are highly thought of in many communities and are well paid, in a relatively stable job that's not going to go out of fashion the way many jobs will in the coming years. So perhaps it's something to consider after all. But if a career in law holds absolutely no interest for you, then that's fine too!

In the USA, to become a judge you must first obtain a degree from a college or university and then a law degree (JD) from an accredited law school. Right now, apply yourself to doing as well as possible in a wide variety of subjects throughout your education, particularly reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, history, and government. You might also want to go to your local courthouse, sit (quietly) in courtrooms and watch what lawyers and judges do.

Review the test format, instructions and questions. Work through simple question and explanation practice tests to familiarize yourself. You can find more here: How to Score Higher on the LSAT .

No, but you must be an attorney to become a judge; therefore, you have to pass many subjects in law school as well as pass the state bar exam.

Anyone can take the LSAT to get into law school. As long as you have an undergraduate degree, you can apply to schools after you take the test (assuming you do well enough on it).

You have to be an adult with experience in all aspects of law. It's possible to become a judge in your mid-30s.

No. There are no requirements to be on the supreme court other than a presidential appointment and a senate confirmation.

You must get appointed by The President of The United States of America, then you must be approved by a majority vote by the Senate.

Economics is one of the recommended majors for getting into law schools.

Go to law school, practice law, and apply with the appropriate judicial board. Or you could run for election to become a certain type of judge. You could also become close friends with the president or a governor, and befriend many senators.

The Bar Exam must be passed after graduating from law school before an individual is a licensed attorney. One must be licensed to seek a judgeship. No test is required to be a judge.

You have to become a lawyer in America and be good at your job for many years, then run for a seat as a judge.

Go to elementary school, go to middle school, go to high school, go to college and get a bachelor's degree, take the LSAT, go to law school, pass the bar, become a lawyer, then try to become a judge.

Kindergarten to conclusion of law school, about 20 years. Then it depends upon the state as to when you are eligible to apply for an appointment or run for election. Whether your state requires it or not, a minimum of 5 years in practice is recommended.

To be a judge, you must first be an attorney. Focus on a career path that will lead to success in law.

Yes, you would need to be a US citizen to become a judge in the United States of America.

Judge is an elected position. It is not necessary to have any previous knowledge of the law or how the court works. It is, however, helpful to have experience in the field of law.

Take clerkships under current judges to gain experience in the job of a judge. You can then run for a position as a judge locally.

Yes, but you must take and pass the bar exam in the U.S. first, and have the proper visa for working in the U.S.

Most judges in this role serve 5 years before needing to seek reelection. The judges can serve as many terms as they like unless they are voted out.

Why not? The key is gaining the necessary experience to become a good one, and convincing a majority of the voters that you are the right choice.

You have to be intelligent, driven and have a very strong sense of morality.

It depends, usually you get an undergrad degree in law or economics, business, political science, etc., that usually takes 3-4 years, and then you would go to a reputable listed law school, and that takes about 6-7 years (depending on where you live). Then you may have to work your way up from clerking to actually working as a lawyer. So altogether it can take 10-12 years.

It depends upon the state where you reside in terms of the requirements. As an example, Michigan requires that a Judge be a licensed attorney for at least 5 years. Conceivably, an individual could become a judge before age 30.

No, but you do need to become a lawyer before becoming a judge, which can take 7-8 years.

No, a Judge is more than just an attorney.

No. You must attain a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution before applying to law school.

Generally speaking, an undergraduate degree of any kind, with any major, permits an individual to apply to law school. However, becoming highly proficient in reading, writing, and public speaking is mandatory for any attorney or judge.

A law school degree is usually all you need but you still need to have experience and practice in all aspects of law, and must be elected or appointed.