Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices

Supreme Court justices serve for life.

The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in the United States. Not only does the court make the laws of the land, but it sets the precedents for lower courts as well.

Description

Supreme Court justices do not have term limits, so they can serve for however long they wish. When there is a vacancy on the court, the president appoints a replacement.

History

Many justices stay on the court for many decades. Current Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalla, for instance, has served on the court since 1986. Justice Anthony Kennedy has served since 1988. In 2010, Justice John Paul Jones retired after serving for 34 years.

Controversy

The court's lack of term limits is a topic of hot debate. Because presidents appoint replacement justices, some critics complain the process is too political. They also say it's unfair that some presidents get to appoint as many as three justices while others get to pick one. And some justices time their retirement based on the president in office. Also, presidents have the tendency to pick younger justices to make sure their political outlook stays on the court as long as possible.

Favoring Limits

Others, however, argue term limits are inappropriate. Namely, lifelong terms for justices make them politically independent and outside of the fray of partisan politics. Knowing they can serve for life, justices don't feel the need to appease a president or a political party.

References

• Supreme Court of the United States: Members of the Supreme Court of the United States
• Cornell Chronicle: Law Professor Proposes Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices
• U.S. News & World Report: No Supreme Court Term Limits---Even With Partisan Justices Like Scalia and Thomas