Do judges have to be lawyers?

Judges play a critical role in the complex legal system, with responsibilities that include overseeing judicial proceedings, interpreting the law and determining guilt or innocence. While many judges begin their legal careers as lawyers, holding a law degree is not always a requirement for serving as a judge. read more

There are no constitutional or statutory (legal) requirements that federal judges be lawyers; however, in practice, not only must a nominee be a lawyer in good standing, he or she must also be considered professionally competent by the American Bar Association. read more

Twenty-eight states require all judges presiding over misdemeanor cases to be lawyers, including large states like California and Florida. In 14 of the remaining 22 states, a defendant who receives a jail sentence from a non-lawyer judge has the right to seek a new trial before a lawyer-judge. read more