Are there any judges that are not lawyers?
Asked by: Delbert Tromp | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (60 votes)
Yes, many judges are not lawyers, especially in lower-level courts in the U.S., with roles like Justices of the Peace or Magistrates often filled by individuals without law degrees, handling cases like traffic tickets, small claims, and evictions, though higher courts typically require legal training. Over half the U.S. states permit non-lawyer judges in certain local courts, emphasizing local traditions for practical dispute resolution.
Can you become a judge without being a lawyer?
Yes, you can be a judge without a law degree, especially in lower courts (like traffic, small claims, or municipal courts) in many U.S. states where non-lawyer judges handle less complex cases after minimal training, and even federal judges aren't constitutionally required to have one, though most do; however, higher courts generally require extensive legal experience or a JD. Requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction, with some states allowing non-lawyers for specific roles like Justice of the Peace or Magistrate, while higher courts almost always demand a law degree.
Are any judges not lawyers?
Non-lawyer judges, often called magistrates, justices of the peace, or municipal judges, preside over lower-level local courts in many U.S. states, handling simpler cases like traffic, small claims, evictions, and sometimes preliminary felony hearings, with requirements varying by state but generally focusing on community knowledge and fairness rather than legal degrees. While controversial for potentially lacking legal expertise, proponents argue they offer accessible, community-level justice, though critics worry about consistency and proper application of the law, especially for unrepresented parties.
Can a nonlawyer be a judge?
As of 2022, more than half of the states allow nonlawyers to serve as judges in lower-level local courts, according to the National Center for State Courts.
Was there ever a Supreme Court justice who was not a lawyer?
Jackson was the most recent U.S. Supreme Court justice who did not earn a law degree.
Judge Not - Studio C
Has every judge been a lawyer?
Educational background: While all judges must have a law degree, additional education or certifications in specialized legal areas can enhance a candidate's qualifications. Admission to the California Bar is, of course, a fundamental requirement.
Has anyone ever won a court case without a lawyer?
There are rare cases where individuals have represented themselves and won. Still, these situations typically involve unique circumstances, such as minor traffic violations, small claims disputes, or defendants with extensive legal knowledge.
Which judge does not require a law degree?
Kansas and other states allow non-lawyer judges, often called magistrates or justices of the peace, to decide matters with important press freedom implications. Laws are only as good as the judges tasked with upholding them.
Did Robert H. Jackson have a law degree?
Despite a modest education, no college degree, and only one year of classes at Albany Law School, Jackson spent approximately 20 years as a successful attorney in Jamestown, New York (within the Western District of New York) before going to Washington, D.C.
Is becoming a judge harder than a lawyer?
Yes, becoming a judge is generally much harder than becoming a lawyer because it requires years of successful legal practice, navigating political hurdles (election or appointment), and facing intense competition for a limited number of spots, whereas becoming a lawyer primarily requires law school and passing the bar exam, making the path to judgeship a significantly more difficult, specialized, and selective career progression.
Who has more power, a lawyer or a judge?
A judge has more inherent power in the courtroom because they are the impartial referee, controlling proceedings, ruling on evidence, instructing juries, and issuing sentences, while a lawyer's power comes from advocacy for their client, operating within the judge's established rules. However, the prosecutor often wields significant influence (sometimes seen as almost equal to the judge) through charging decisions, shifting the power balance in practice, say some sources.
Why didn't Obama get to nominate a Supreme Court judge?
With the death of Antonin Scalia in February 2016 in the beginning of a presidential election year, the Republican majority in the Senate made it their stated policy to refuse to consider any nominee to the Supreme Court, arguing that the next president should be the one to appoint Scalia's replacement.
Do most judges go to law school?
No U.S. law school offers a degree, a major or even a course in how to conduct a trial or hearing or handle the other responsibilities of a judge. In the United States, the overwhelming majority of judges are attorneys who were elected or appointed to their posts without any prior judicial education.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
How old is the youngest judge ever?
Education and career
After completing a training program and passing a certification examination, Twitty was sworn in as a judge at the age of 25.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Is Lawbymike actually a lawyer?
I've represented hundreds of clients over my 12+ years as a practicing attorney. Understanding the law can be challenging, but I've made it my mission to educate YOU about your most important legal rights in a way that will actually make sense.
Where did Alito get his law degree?
Samuel Alito went to Yale Law School, graduating with his J.D. in 1975, after completing his undergraduate degree at Princeton University. While at Yale, he served as an editor for the Yale Law Journal.
Who was the last Supreme Court justice without a law degree?
Stanley Forman Reed was the last sitting Justice not to have received a law degree.
Can non-lawyers be judges?
Yes, you can be a judge without a law degree, especially in lower courts (like traffic, small claims, or municipal courts) in many U.S. states where non-lawyer judges handle less complex cases after minimal training, and even federal judges aren't constitutionally required to have one, though most do; however, higher courts generally require extensive legal experience or a JD. Requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction, with some states allowing non-lawyers for specific roles like Justice of the Peace or Magistrate, while higher courts almost always demand a law degree.
What states don't require law school to become a lawyer?
In four states, you can still take this non-law-school route to becoming a lawyer. Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.
What percentage of judges have law degrees?
A 2019 study revealed that 60 percent of sitting judges on the U.S. Circuit Courts had a corporate law background. 2 A 2020 study reported that people spending the majority of their career in private practice or as federal prosecutors comprise over 70 percent of the active federal appellate bench.
What is the hardest case to win in court?
The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
What not to say to the judge?
You should not say anything sarcastic, interrupt the judge, lie, use slang, make personal attacks on others, guarantee outcomes, or speak about things not relevant to the case; instead, remain respectful, address the judge as "Your Honor," answer only the question asked, and be direct and truthful to maintain credibility.
Has anyone ever passed the bar without going to law school?
Yes, people have passed the bar without going to law school, but it's only possible in a few states (like California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) through rigorous law office study/apprenticeship programs. While it's an affordable, hands-on alternative, apprentices face lower pass rates, significant self-discipline requirements, and potential limitations in practicing in other states, with historical figures like Abraham Lincoln famously using this path.