JOB REPORT / 23-1023 · 21 TASKS

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates.

Can AI do the work of Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts…
Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal…
Write decisions on cases

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WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

20 of 21 tasks reviewed

This job has 21 core tasks. We went through 20 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
AI DOES
Summarizes key facts, flags issues, and organizes arguments from lengthy legal filings
YOU DO
Personally review documents and apply judicial judgment to what matters legally
TASK 02
Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal issues through the media and public speeches.
AI DOES
Drafts talking points, summaries, and background research on legal topics
YOU DO
Bring personal authority and judgment to every public statement
TASK 03SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Write decisions on cases.
AI DOES
Drafts legal reasoning and cites relevant precedents
YOU DO
Weigh facts, apply wisdom, own the judgment
About this analysis
68% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 04
Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
AI DOES
Searches procedural rules, flags relevant precedents, and drafts rule language for review
YOU DO
Exercise the legal authority and judgment that only a sitting judge can apply
TASK 05
Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
AI DOES
Searches relevant precedents, summarizes evidentiary rules, and flags potential issues fast
YOU DO
Apply judgment, balance fairness, and make the final binding call in court
TASK 06
Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
AI DOES
Looks up comparable case awards, damage formulas, and legal precedents to inform the decision
YOU DO
Apply judicial discretion, weigh fairness, and sign the official legal order
TASK 07
Settle disputes between opposing attorneys.
AI DOES
Summarizes legal arguments, finds relevant case law, and drafts procedural options
YOU DO
Stay in the room, read the moment, and use your authority to make a binding call
TASK 08
Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
AI DOES
Drafts and reviews jury instructions for legal accuracy and plain language
YOU DO
Stand in the courtroom, read the jury, and deliver binding legal guidance with authority
TASK 09
Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.
AI DOES
Drafts temporary restraining orders and researches relevant case law and standards
YOU DO
Weigh the facts, apply legal authority, and sign binding orders with full accountability
TASK 10
Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
AI DOES
Looks up sentencing guidelines, pulls comparable cases, and flags relevant statutes
YOU DO
Weigh all the human factors and apply legal authority only a judge holds
TASK 11
Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
AI DOES
Drafts legal summaries, flags relevant case law, and organizes case facts
YOU DO
Weigh each family's unique circumstances and make binding legal decisions that affect children's lives
TASK 12
Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.
AI DOES
Summarizes financial records, researches relevant statutes, and drafts preliminary asset division options
YOU DO
Apply legal judgment, weigh fairness, and sign binding court orders
TASK 13
Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
AI DOES
Flags procedural issues in transcripts and helps research applicable rules quickly
YOU DO
Stay present in the courtroom and make real-time rulings with legal authority
TASK 14
Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
AI DOES
Summarizes case law, flags relevant precedents, and organizes case facts quickly
YOU DO
Weigh live testimony, read the room, and make the legal call in real time
TASK 15
Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.
AI DOES
Pulls relevant case law, summarizes arguments, and flags legal precedents
YOU DO
Weigh witness credibility and apply human judgment to reach a binding decision
TASK 16
Issue arrest warrants.
AI DOES
Summarizes affidavits and flags missing probable cause elements
YOU DO
Apply independent legal judgment and sign the official order
TASK 17
Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court's administrative staff.
AI DOES
Drafts schedules, flags performance data, and summarizes administrative reports
YOU DO
Make final calls on staff issues and leadership decisions that require legal authority and human trust
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
AI DOES
Finds cases, statutes, and drafts initial analysis
YOU DO
Apply judgment to complex legal reasoning
About this analysis
29% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19
Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
AI DOES
Summarizes case documents, flags relevant precedents, and organizes evidence before hearings
YOU DO
Stay present in the courtroom and apply legal judgment to what you see and hear in real time
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
AI DOES
Researches precedents and drafts procedural guidance
YOU DO
Apply wisdom and ensure fairness
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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There are 20 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
SOC code: 23-1023
Tasks reviewed: 20 of 21

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $153,990 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $198,790 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 24,030
Employed in Colorado: 620
Job outlook: +2.5% by 2034 · ~900 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.

Provide information regarding the judicial system or other legal issues through the media and public speeches.

Write decisions on cases.

Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.

Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.

Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.

Settle disputes between opposing attorneys.

Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.

Impose restrictions upon parties in civil cases until trials can be held.

Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.

Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.

Grant divorces and divide assets between spouses.

Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.

Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.

Participate in judicial tribunals to help resolve disputes.

Issue arrest warrants.

Supervise other judges, court officers, and the court's administrative staff.

Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.

Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.

Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.