How to Become a Judge : With & Without a Law Degree | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn about the basic requirements, application processes, and differences between state and federal courts for lawyers aspiring to become judges.

Key Insights

• 🧡 In Florida, lawyers must meet specific experience requirements to be considered for judgeships, ranging from five to ten years depending on the level of court.
• 😥 State court judges are either appointed by the governor or elected by the people, while federal court judges are appointed by the president with confirmation from the Senate.
• 🖐️ Judicial nominating commissions play a crucial role in the selection of judges in Florida, but their influence is more limited in the federal court system.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The process of becoming a judge involves submitting an application, participating in interviews, and being recommended by the judicial nominating commission before final selection.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Both state and federal court judges have lifetime appointments, but federal court judges have higher salaries and handle more significant cases.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What are the basic requirements for a lawyer to become a judge in Florida?

Lawyers in Florida must have at least five years of experience for lower level state court judgeships and ten years for higher level positions. They also need to be members of the Florida Bar and live within the area they are applying for a judgeship.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the experience requirement for smaller counties in Florida?

Yes, in small counties with fewer than 40,000 people, lawyers without any experience can be nominated for judgeships. However, this requirement does not apply to larger counties.

Q: Is it necessary to be a lower court judge before becoming an appellate court judge or a Supreme Court justice?

No, there is no requirement for on-the-job training or previous judicial experience in order to apply for a judgeship. Lawyers can directly apply for higher-level positions without serving as lower court judges.

Q: What is the difference between the appointment and election processes for judges in Florida?

State court judges are either appointed by the governor or elected by the people. Appellate court justices and Supreme Court justices are always appointed, while trial court judges can be elected. The appointment process involves the judicial nominating commission recommending candidates to the governor, who then makes the selection. The election process allows the people to vote for the judges they want.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lawyers in Florida must have at least five years of experience to be eligible for lower level state court judgeships and ten years for higher level positions.

• Two ways to become a judge in Florida: appointment by the governor or election by the people. State court judges are typically elected, while Supreme Court and appellate court justices are appointed.

• The process for becoming a judge involves applying to the judicial nominating commission, which interviews and recommends candidates to the governor. The governor then selects the judges and submits their names for confirmation or rejects them. Federal court judge appointments follow a similar process, but without the involvement of a commission.