Supreme Court Term Limits-2

Supreme Court Term Limits-2

In a minimum of 300 words, discuss the implications of U.S. Supreme Court justices only serving for a fixed term of 10 years instead of a life appointment. Your assignment must reflect at least five reference sources: your textbook and other scholarly materials (i.e., journal articles, magazines, newspaper articles, webpage, dictionaries, thesauruses, or encyclopedias.), APA formatted paragraphs with in-text citations, and an APA formatted reference list to receive full credit. References must be material within five years of the date of this class.

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Supreme Court Term Limits-2

The U.S. Supreme Court’s practice of appointing justices for life is one of the key features of the country’s judicial system. However, the idea of limiting the term of justices to a fixed period, such as 10 years, raises several implications. This proposed change could impact judicial independence, the balance of power, and the functioning of the Court.

Judicial Independence

One of the primary concerns with a fixed term for justices is the potential erosion of judicial independence. Life appointments are designed to insulate justices from political pressures, allowing them to make decisions based on the Constitution rather than political expediency (Biskupic, 2020). A 10-year term could make justices more vulnerable to political influence, as their reappointment might depend on the political party in power, potentially altering their decision-making process (Smith, 2019). This could compromise the impartiality of the Court and undermine public trust in its decisions.

Impact on Legal Precedent

A fixed term of 10 years might also disrupt the consistency of legal precedent. Justices who serve for life bring long-term stability to the Court, ensuring that precedents are carefully developed and followed over time (Rosen, 2021). A rotating Court could lead to frequent shifts in legal doctrine, potentially making it harder for citizens to predict how laws will be applied. This unpredictability could hinder the ability of individuals and organizations to plan their actions according to established legal standards.

Balance of Power

Additionally, limiting the terms of justices could shift the balance of power within the federal government. With life appointments, the Supreme Court serves as a counterbalance to the legislative and…