FAQs: Judges in the United States

This publication answers many common questions about the court systems and judges in the United States:

1. Why do we have both state and federal courts? How are they different?
2. Are more cases filed in state or federal courts? Are there more state or federal judges?
3. What types of state courts are there?
4. How does a state judge reach the bench?
5. What are the qualifications for being a state judge?
6. How long can a state judge stay on the bench?
7. How does a state judge stay on the bench?
8. How can a state judge be disciplined?
9. How can a state judge be removed from office?
10. How is the performance of state judges evaluated?
11. What types of federal courts are there?
12. How does a federal judge reach the bench?
13. What are the qualifications for being a federal judge?
14. How long does a federal judge stay on the bench?
15. How can a federal judge be disciplined?
16. How can a federal judge be removed from office?
17. How is the performance of federal judges evaluated?