Will “Magisterial District Judge” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.

• Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal issues through the media and public speeches.

• Settle disputes between opposing attorneys.

• Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.

• Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.

• Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.

• Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.

• Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.

• Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.

• Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.

• Issue arrest warrants.

• Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.

• Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.

• Perform wedding ceremonies.

• Write decisions on cases.

• Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.

• Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court's administrative staff.

• Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.

• Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.

• Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.

• Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.