How long can a citizen serve as a justice on the supreme court?

Answer 1

There are no federal statutes or constitutional guidelines addressing qualifications for US Supreme Court justices, so there are no explicit citizenship rules. Justices are evaluated individually; the criteria used tends to change over time.

Additional Information

Naturalized citizens are eligible to serve on the Court. In order to become a naturalized citizen, a person must be at least 18 years old and must have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least five years, or for three years, if married to and continuously living with a spouse who's an American citizen. A person voluntarily serving in the US Military is eligible to apply for citizenship after one year of service, or within six month of being honorably discharged.

Non-citizen residents of the United States may or may not be legally eligible for a position on the Court, but politically, the likelihood of a non-citizen being nominated or confirmed by the Senate is virtually nil.

For more information, see Related Questions, below.

Answer 2

According to Article III of the US Constitution, Supreme Court justices serve "during good behavior," which means "for life" or until they choose to resign or retire, as long as they don't commit an impeachable offense (bad behavior).

Only one US Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Chase, has been impeached, allegedly for letting his political ideology to affect the quality of his decisions. The US House of Representatives voted to impeach Chase in 1804, but he was acquitted at his Senate trial and remained on the bench until his death in 1811.

Article III, Section 1

"The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."

Answer 3

Although neither the constitution nor federal law prohibits non-citizens from serving on the US Supreme Court, it's unlikely the President would ever nominate a non-citizen to the Court or that the Senate would approve such a nomination. In practice, yes, you would undoubtedly have to be a citizen.

Answer 4

Supreme Court justices are appointed to life terms, there is no term limitation.

Answer 5

There is no constitutional requirement about how long you are a citizen, to be part of the supreme court.

Answer 6

Until he or she dies or resigns.