circuit judge

American  

noun

1. a judge of a circuit court.

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circuit judge British  

noun

1. a judge presiding over a county court or crown court

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Etymology

Origin of circuit judge

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Regular readers may recall activist Hannah Dugan, the circuit judge in Wisconsin’s Milwaukee County who was indicted in federal court in April for allegedly helping a man avoid immigration law enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

The circuit judge overseeing the hearing, with approval from the victim's widower, said he would sign off on the new sentence, according to The Times.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2024

Griffin’s Case was written by Chief Justice Salmon Chase in 1869—but only in Salmon’s capacity as circuit judge, so it is not binding precedent.

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2024

Arguments about legal precedents go back to a lone 1869 opinion from Chief Justice Salmon Chase, who was hearing an appeal as a circuit judge rather than for the high court.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2024

After the verdict, circuit judge James Garrett asked Cherry if he had anything to say.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry