When a job offers a lot of authority but little pay, it tends to attract people who crave the only thing it offers.

 

Uh, the notion that cops are underpaid is crazy. Maybe 30 years ago. But seems they are making decent wages for what they do. And judges, gimme a break ... they make big $$ and usually only work about 20 hrs a week. Nice gig if you can get it.

 

I know what cops and judges around the gulf coast make and how many hours they have to put in. Judges have more homework than college students, and just as much relentless pressure. It is much more that a full time job, plus, they often don't get re-elected if they are lazy and rated low in the polls. Then they are out of work and scrambling. Their salary requires the spouse to work and won't let them run with their contemporaries in the private sector. They make less than a nurse in most cases. It ain't bad, but they sure don't get fat.

Cops. We have to recruit from out of state because no one will take the job. They are paid like a teacher, and that is bad. They have to work double shifts as private security, standing around watching people shop, just to be able to keep the job.

 

Good comments on Cop's , Judges and pay etc..............BUT
it's not a one shoe fits all kinda deal ......it varies a lot by location....rank, seniority etc.

Up here in Maine the State Troopers working with the DA pretty much corral people
into the courtroom before hearings start and outright intimidate these tax paying
folks who elect and or pay their salaries, into giving up the idea of stating their
case or even thinking of defending themselves..........it's so damned blatant it an
absolute disgrace..............and you have to love the cameo appearances by the
judge........during this "initiation" to justice ..........just the way I see it.

All this has become in recent years is nothing more than a revenue generating engine
for State Government and the Bureaucracy & Politics funded by it !!!!

Do I sound pissed off .........well yeah I am.....really it's nothing more than a money
racket.

 

All true. I was really talking about civil and criminal judges who handle real cases.

And in the traffic arena, there is an opposing money racket where traffic specialists (lawyers) can get you off ANY ticket, EVERY time, for guess what.....the amount of the fine on the ticket. Capitalism at work.

 

The all powerful government. We keep electing those who seek power not because they want to serve the public but because they want to rule the public. We elect people who believe that big and powerful government is the answer to societies problems instead of those who believe that government should be small, humble and at the service of the people. Anytime a politician proposes a government program as a solution to a problem, thats a politician that should never be elected. Big government must be fed with money, your money. It will always find ways to take it from you......... just my.02

 

Hmm, not in southern Ohio. Drive down the road and look for the nicest house on the street, there is usually a cop car sitting in the drive each night.
I just saw on the news today that the average government worker makes 35% more per year than the average private sector worker. Something is wrong with this system. Its time for a good ole fashioned house cleaning. (no pun intended)

 

I guess the salary must vary a lot by region. Around here, an elected judge can expect $80K to $100K for holding court 1 week a month, which leaves 1 week a month for "homework" and 2 weeks for other ventures. City cops start at $37K and can make up to $50K just being cops. Overtime comes in the form of sitting at an intersection with the lights flashing during race week. Deputies are not paid as much. I believe they start just under $30K but this is in my neck of the woods ... could be higher or lower depending on jurisdiction. Still, for what they have to do, it's not bad pay.

Regardless, our system was designed around the concept of innocent until proven guilty by the state. Murderers have gone free on technicalities such as middle name being spelled wrong on the indictment papers. But fighting a traffic ticket will increase your fine by at least $200 around here (if you lose) and there is always the chance that the judge could be in a bad mood and throw you in jail for 30 days.