Types of Judges


INTRO

When talking about the law, it is important to understand the different types of judges that exist in the legal system. Types of judges can vary from state to state, but there are two  types of judges that everyone should be aware of. These three types of judges are Magistrate Judges, Circuit Judges, and District Judges. In this blog post, we will discuss the different roles of each of these three types of judges and their importance in the legal system.


Appellate Court Judges


When a party appeals a decision to an appellate court, the panel of judges will consider all of the information presented to them and make a determination based on this information. This panel of judges may consist of three or more judges, depending on the court. If a majority of judges agree with one party’s position, then that ruling will be the final decision. Appellate court judges may also order a new trial if they find that mistakes were made in the original trial.


District Court Judges


These judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and they serve lifetime appointments. When a case is heard by a district court judge, the ruling is made based on facts presented in the case and the applicable laws. The decisions may be appealed, but the district court’s rulings generally stand unless overturned by a higher court. 
In addition to hearing and deciding cases, district court judges have other responsibilities such as issuing search warrants, setting bail amounts, and ruling on motions from both sides of a dispute. District court judges can also be assigned to work with an appellate court if necessary, where they serve as referees or special masters for certain types of cases.