State Court Judges
Unlike federal courts, where judges are Presidential appointees confirmed by the U.S. Senate serving life terms of office, the vast majority of states have some judges who are elected, and the methods of appointment for appointed judges vary widely. State court judges are usually distinguished attorneys who have had some political involvement, who are pursuing second careers on the bench. But, a small number of state court judges, particularly in limited jurisdiction trial courts, are non-lawyers, who are often elected to their posts.
A disproportionate share of state court judges previously served as prosecutors, or less commonly as criminal defense attorneys or trial lawyers, although no particular background as an attorney is required to serve as a judge. The judiciary is not a separate profession in the American legal system as it is in many civil law jurisdictions.
State court judges are typically paid less, have smaller staffs available to them, and handle larger caseloads than their federal judge counterparts.
Read more about this topic: State Court (United States)
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