General Discussion

Mr.Bill

(24,906 posts) Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:05 PM Dec 2020

I have changed my mind about a belief I have had for years.

I used to think that no judge should be appointed for a life long term.

Recent court decisions regarding the election have shown me that if a judge is appointed for life, there is no incentive for them to do any favors for the politician who appointed them.

8 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I have changed my mind about a belief I have had for years. (Original Post) Mr.Bill Dec 2020 OP

Exactly! Zoonart Dec 2020 #1

That's the major argument for lifetime appointments. Ms. Toad Dec 2020 #2

No one should be appointed for life for anything. old guy Dec 2020 #3

And that's exactly why it was set up that way in the first place. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2020 #4

they can't be bribed? stillcool Dec 2020 #5

Occasionally they have been; a few federal judges were impeached for bribery. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2020 #6

And that's why Roberts has become a swing vote TexasBushwhacker Dec 2020 #7

You are correct Nictuku Dec 2020 #8

Zoonart

(14,631 posts)

1. Exactly!

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:07 PM

Dec 2020

Ms. Toad

(38,824 posts)

2. That's the major argument for lifetime appointments.

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:08 PM

Dec 2020

Over time, judges appointed for life are freer to reject the death penalty (you don't have to kill people to prove you are tough on crime), to agree with the person responsible for your income at the end of your term, etc. They tend to move left, rather than right.

old guy

(3,299 posts)

3. No one should be appointed for life for anything.

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:11 PM

Dec 2020

The Velveteen Ocelot

(131,242 posts)

4. And that's exactly why it was set up that way in the first place.

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:32 PM

Dec 2020

stillcool

(34,407 posts)

5. they can't be bribed?

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:38 PM

Dec 2020

The Velveteen Ocelot

(131,242 posts)

6. Occasionally they have been; a few federal judges were impeached for bribery.

Reply to stillcool (Reply #5)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:52 PM

Dec 2020

TexasBushwhacker

(21,289 posts)

7. And that's why Roberts has become a swing vote

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 07:55 PM

Dec 2020

He's more concerned about his legacy than any perceived duty to a political party.

Nictuku

(4,682 posts)

8. You are correct

Reply to Mr.Bill (Original post)

Tue Dec 8, 2020, 08:48 PM

Dec 2020

THE MOST IMPORTANT issue for Article III Judges is to maintain the Independence of the Judiciary.

Reply to this discussion

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.