What skills are required to become a judge?

Answer 1

They need to be strong and not take any nonsense. Also they should be able to keep their cool.

It's rather hard to say what "skills" a Judge needs or has. It is more a matter of process, and you develop the skills as you go. Every Judge has been a lawyer before, that much is for certain. So a basic rule of thumb may be: 1) KNOW YOUR LAWS. I don't just mean "What does Section 2 of the Criminal Code say?" I mean can you explain to everyone, from lawyers to the common working man/woman what that MEANS.

Of course, knowing the laws and being a lawyer are just the first few basic requirements. You also have to be a GOOD lawyer that OTHER LAWYERS KNOW. To become a Judge, one needs to be recommended by other lawyers...which might be hard considering that other lawyers may also want to be judges. So herein lies a more concrete form of "skill", which would be networking. I don't mean Facebook, I mean actually going out and getting to know other people, and making them know more about you, too.

There is also a need to be able to SEPARATE YOUR VALUES FROM THE PROBLEM AT HAND. A judge needs to be able to look at a case they preside over without actually adding in their own opinions. For example, a Judge is strongly against rape and very tending to help the victim. However, there is simply not enough evidence to show beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty. Then the judge has to be able to just acquit that guy, no matter how obvious it is that he's the one who did it. Verbal statements have NO EFFECT in court unless it is:

a) A part of testimony

b) A plead of guilty

c) An evoking of fundamental rights (I.e. Right to remain silent).

Answer 2

Yes.

The location over which the court has jurisdiction will set the requirements. Typically, there is a requirement that the person be of a certain age, and they are often required to be a member of the bar (an attorney) other requirements vary.

Answer 3

A law degree. There are no other actual requirements, though, in practical terms, experience as an attorney is valued. Also, some judges are appointed, in which case it would be advantageous to be able to influence the decision making of the person tasked with appointing judges. Other judges are elected, meaning political experience would increase one's chance of becoming a judge.

Answer 4

It depends on the jurisdiction. Most judge positions require the applicant to have been an attorney for a certain amount of time. There are sometimes residency and age requirements as well.

Answer 5

go to law school