Occupation information for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates District Of Columbia

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Typical education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree

Typical work experience needed for a job in this occupation: 5 years or more work experience

Typical on-the-job training once you have a job in this occupation: Less than 1 month on-the-job training

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• Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
• Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
• Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
• Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
• Write decisions on cases.
• Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
• 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.
• Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
• Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.

Tools:

• Desktop computers
• Digital video disk players or recorders
• Digital voice recorders
• Gavels or sounding blocks
• Laser fax machine

Technology:

• Data base user interface and query software
• Document management software
• Electronic mail software
• Information retrieval or search software
• Word processing software

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