From What can you do with a degree in psychology?

Contents 1 Job title (George Ewasiuk) 1.1 General overview 1.2 Job duties and responsibilities 1.3 Typical workday 1.4 Educational requirements and other qualifications 1.5 Related skills, interests, and abilities 1.6 To know more

Job title (George Ewasiuk)

Criminal Court Judge

General overview

A criminal court judge is the head figure in a criminal trial. At its core, the role of a judge is to evaluate the arguments made by lawyers and/or defendants and apply the law. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge ultimately passes a sentence and imposes penalties. In making his/her decision, the judge must remain completely impartial, letting the rule of law guide the verdict.

Job duties and responsibilities

While lawyers present arguments, the judge must provide an independent and impartial assessment of the facts and how the law applies to those facts. During this time, the judge must carefully consider the arguments put forth to determine whether they are credible/believable, and may also ask relevant questions. In trials with juries, the judge is the one to give legal instructions to the juries so that they may deliberate. Once a verdict is reached, the judge passes the sentence and imposes an appropriate penalty depending on the severity of the offence.^[1]

Judges are also responsible for staying up to date on changes to the law so as not to be applying outdated laws to current sentencing issues. When not in the courtroom, judges may handle administrative duties including but not limited to signing arrest warrants, search warrants, and orders for involuntary hospitalization.^[2]

Typical workday

As a generally rule, the typical workday of judges is relatively structured. A judge’s hearings are typically held at set points throughout the day. When not in a hearing, a judge will generally spend time researching and reviewing court-related concerns and issues relevant to the particular case. However, the typical workday also differs depending on several factors. First, the tier of court determines the workload. Higher tiers of court (such as the federal court) for instance are responsible for reviewing decisions of lower courts. This means that the highest tier of courts must review and stay up to date on the rulings of multiple lower courts.^[3]

While cases generally have set time slots, they can potentially go on for longer than initially intended. The workday is not finished until all scheduled cases have been called and given ample time for consideration.^[2]

Judges may also handle administrative manners including phone messages, mail and outgoing correspondence, signing court orders, criminal summons, arrest warrants, project planning, confirming scheduled jury trials, and setting bail upon pre-trial review for overnight arrests.^[2]

Even when not officially on the clock, a judge may potentially have work. After hours, weekends and holidays can potentially require immediate and decisive attention to pre-trial review for setting bail, emergency protective orders in domestic violence cases, emergency mental health orders for involuntary hospitalization, search warrants, arrest warrants, and emergency orders for protection of abused or neglected children.^[2]

Educational requirements and other qualifications

To become a judge, one must first become a lawyer. To become a lawyer, you first need two to three years of undergraduate studies. There is no specific field required, but some common choices include political science, history, or economics.^[4] One will then need a bachelor’s law degree from a recognized law school, the successful completion of the bar exam, followed by a period of articling (apprenticeship in a law firm). Judges need a license to practice law, but this is generally obtained as a lawyer; lawyers are licensed at a provincial or territorial level. Once a lawyer, one will need 10 years of completed membership at the Bar of one of the Provinces or Territories of Canada. One will then have the opportunity to enter the application process of being appointed provincially (provincial court) or federally (Federal court) as a judge.Cite error 3; Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

Prior to becoming a judge, potential candidates are expected to have made a significant contribution to the legal profession and their communities, which may include activity in law societies and volunteer and charitable work.Cite error 3; Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

Related skills, interests, and abilities

There are several key skills that a judge should possess. One of the most important is communication skills. A judge must be able to clearly communicate courtroom proceedings. This includes both being able to actively listen to arguments being presented, as well as clearly convey how the law is being applied. The judge will also need to be prepared to ask relevant questions during the trial, remaining courteous but also able to act firmly when disputes arise.^[5]

The Judge will also need to display a very strong work ethic. This includes the self-management skills of being punctual, well-prepared, and organized prior to courtroom proceedings. An unorganized, late judge is disruptive to the entire court proceedings and will not command the respect required of a proper legal system.Cite error 3; Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

With that in mind, Judges in the lower (provincial) courts may make roughly $174,868.00 a year.Cite error 3; Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

To know more

http://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/Cite error 3; Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many