Law Report How stressful is it to be a judge or magistrate?
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Dec 17, 2024 Carly Schriever, a lawyer and empirical psychologist, dives into her groundbreaking research on the psychological health of judges. She reveals how magistrates experience higher stress and burnout due to limited autonomy compared to higher court judges. The podcast discusses the intense emotional toll of heavy workloads, particularly in sensitive cases like family violence, and the stigma surrounding mental health in the judiciary. Schriever emphasizes the critical need for systemic changes and supportive initiatives to prioritize the wellbeing of judicial officers.
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Overwhelmed Magistrates
- A magistrate highlighted overwhelming workloads, handling 60-70 family violence cases daily.
- This volume compromises providing fair hearings, making the job perfunctory.
Never-Ending Workload
- Magistrates feel like they are constantly "shoveling snow while it's still snowing," highlighting the never-ending nature of their work.
- Even higher-level judges feel the relentless pressure, describing it as being on a "treadmill" or "step climber."
Increased Law Enforcement Impact
- Increased law enforcement leads to more arrests, directly impacting court workloads.
- This increased workload burdens the judicial system, which often lacks commensurate resources.