In Maryland?

I just heard that the judge that locked up the girl in texas only has a high school diploma. I'd always assumed that you needed law school to become a judge, but maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to think that.

In Maryland?

I just heard that the judge that locked up the girl in texas only has a high school diploma. I'd always assumed that you needed law school to become a judge, but maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to think that.An actual judge or a magistrate or commissioner?

To become a judge they must be a member of the Maryland Bar.

http://www.courts.state.md.us/judgeselect/docs/judapplication.pdf

To become a judge they must be a member of the Maryland Bar.

http://www.courts.state.md.us/judgeselect/docs/judapplication.pdf

Depends on the type of judge.... Orphans Court judges do not have to be lawyers. My uncle was one in Southern MD for many years, and he never graduated from high school. But.....he was the wisest man I ever met.

Well you don't have to be if you are one of these judges:



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Actually, the bar is set pretty low for some judgeships, like just being elected.



Here is a high level look at it:

http://degreedirectory.org/articles /Judge_Career_Profile_Job_Outlook_and_Educational_Requirements.html

If you'd like to become a judge, you must obtain at least a bachelor's degree and some related work experience. However, the majority of judges were once lawyers. A law degree may be mandatory if your goal is to become a state or federal judge appointee. In addition, to work as a federal judge, you'll have to pass an examination given by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Then there is this guy - SC judge Stanley Forman:

Stanley Forman Reed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Forman_Reed)

Reed attended Kentucky Wesleyan College and received a B.A. degree in 1902. He then attended Yale University as an undergraduate, and obtained a second B.A. in 1906. He studied law at the University of Virginia (where he was a member of St. Elmo Hall) and Columbia University, but did not obtain a law degree.

I actually like this forum because the focus is really experience verses a degree/schooling.
I will always lean toward individuals with applied knowledge over a bookworm that just sits around and thinks about it. As the saying goes, those who can't do, teach. I take it back, the actual focus is a supposed judge that is not qualified. I would say there are a lot of them that are technical qualified but when it comes to application, they stink.

Here is the Judge's Website:

Justice of the Peace Pct 1 (http://www.mctx.org/courts/justices_of_the_peace/justice_of_the_peace_pct_1/index.html)

Looks like he just has a High School Education and maybe some Justice of the Peace training. He is elected.



http://www.texas-ec.org/members/localpages/midsouth/mids0207.pdf



In his defense, he might not have known her work situation. Might be bad defense, too. I obviously agree that the judge was too harsh and consider a 17 year old old enough to drop out of school, thus the court should not have even looked at the case. My question is why did the case even come to the judge in the first place? I would look at the school enforcement policies and ask why they were not involved other than pushing some papers. In the end, looks like a happy story for the girl. There is something like 70 K already raised for her via charity organizations.

This is getting even more interesting:

http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/sworncomp/2008/2811371.pdf

It appears the judge was fined ($2,800) for not correctly reporting political contributions.

Too funny, the Huffy post is making a big deal about this, but where are these guys on democrats failing to file tax returns and other political contributions.

Not giving this guy a pass, but for goodness sakes, the guy is a Justice of the Peace Judge.

By the way, I thought most cases that come to JOP can be appealed upon conviction. Sounds like Tran needed some better legal advice, so she would have had to spend time in jail.

There are several things wrong with this other than the judge. Like why did the school not be more proactive? Is she legal here? Where are her parents? Who is taking care of her now? Are they working a minor (liberal laws) more than they should be? Are the employers paying her taxes and if she is on a 1099, reporting her income correctly (Nanny tax).

So was the judge a jerk, yes. Is there a bigger problem here...you bet. She needs to be commended for her hard work, but others seem to be taking advantage of her and now her notoriety will be exploited by the wrong people to further their cause instead of hers.