Carroll O. Switzer holds a Bachelor of Laws from Drake University Law School and began his career in private practice. He served as assistant city solicitor for Des Moines and later as Polk County Attorney. Switzer was nominated for a federal judicial seat by President Truman but faced Senate opposition and was ultimately rejected. He then transitioned to state judicial service, being appointed to the state district court bench and later elected to the same position.

Carroll O. Switzer's career reveals a complex ideological agility, particularly in his balancing of state and federal judicial roles. Despite his nomination to a federal judicial seat by President Truman, Switzer faced significant opposition, hinting at a nuanced approach to federal versus local governance. His eventual election to the state district court bench suggests a strategic preference for localized judicial influence. Switzer's career also highlights an intriguing tension between his judicial ambitions and his political setbacks, raising questions about the interplay between his judicial philosophy and political affiliations.