Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. They sentence defendants in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. Besides, they determine the liability of the defendant in civil cases and may perform wedding ceremonies.
The job responsibilities of magistrates entail making decisions in legal cases, directing courtroom activities or procedures, conducting hearings to investigate legal issues, preparing written decisions for legal proceedings, and researching relevant legal materials to aid decision making.
To become a magistrate, an aspirant for a magistrate judge would first need to receive a bachelor's degree, preferably in law and on-the-job experience working in a law firm. The other relevant subjects of study are criminology, politics, legal issues and business. An internship programme gives law students a better experience of what it is like to operate in law firms while assessing the academic and work ethics of students.
A magistrate judg's salary is commensurate to years of experience, job position, geographic location and skillsets. The workplace of magistrate judges varies according to professional responsibilities which, include offices, law firms, and courtrooms.
A good magistrate judge's salary requires a high level of communication and organizational skills. To be successful, a magistrate judge requires skills of research, judgement, communication, active listening, time management, critical thinking, reading, and writing efficiency.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- LLM Master of Laws
- LLB Bachelor of Legislative Law
- Bachelor's Any Subject
Tasks
- Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
- Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
- 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.
- Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
- Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
- Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
- Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
- Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
- Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
Progression Routes
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