According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes. | 95% |
| Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children. | 94% |
| Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed. | 94% |
| Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts. | 93% |
| Write decisions on cases. | 92% |
| Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues. | 91% |
| Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges. | 91% |
| Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony. | 91% |
| Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court. | 91% |
| Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases. | 91% |
| Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings. | 91% |
| Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues. | 90% |
| Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses. | 88% |
| Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law. | 88% |
| Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes. | 86% |
| Issue arrest warrants. | 86% |
| Settle disputes between opposing attorneys. | 83% |
| Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held. | 76% |
| Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court's administrative staff. | 74% |
| Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal issues through the media and public speeches. | 58% |
| Perform wedding ceremonies. | 47% |
