NCJ Number
102462
Date Published
1986
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A welcoming talk given to newly appointed district judges discusses the roles, responsibilities, and qualities of judges.
Abstract
While being a Federal judge provides good pay, hours, and benefits, the transition from the bar to the bench requires that new appointees learn the art and craft of judging and make personal adjustments to the heavy responsibility of judgeship. Success as a judge will be measured in large part by success in relations with the bar: with lawyers, the judge should be courteous and patient. Faced with inconsistent statutes, conflicting decisions, and Government rules, the new judge must act with common sense and humility. Finally, a good judge must be a capable lawyer, courteous, even-tempered, personally humble, but cognizant of the power and dignity of the office.