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Although US Supreme Court Justices are entitled to serve for life, and many do remain on the court until death, there are a variety of reasons a Justice may choose to leave, such as poor health, a desire to spend more time with family, frustration with the government or the political leaning of the Court, and so on.

A Justice may also leave if he or she is impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate for "Treason, Bribery, or otherHigh Crimes and Misdemeanors." (US Constitution, Article II, Section 4). Contrary to popular belief, a Supreme Court Justice cannot be impeached simply because an individual or group disapproves of his or her political beliefs.

The House of Representatives impeached Samuel Chase in 1804 because they didn't like his Federalist leanings, but the Senate acquitted him in 1805, establishing the right of the judiciary to independent opinion.

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What are three ways a US Supreme Court justice can leave office?

US Supreme Court justices are appointed for life and only leave office in one of the following four ways:ResignationRetirementDeathImpeachment and conviction


What is the only way supreme court judges can resign?

Supreme Court justices can leave office by dying, resigning or retiring. They can also be impeached. There is no single way they can "resign"


What happens if a Senator is appointed as a justice to the US Supreme Court?

If a senator were to leave the senate in order to serve on the Supreme Court, the governnor of his or her state would appoint a new senator to complete the remaining portion of the senatorial term of office.


What are some aspects of the Supreme Court's structure and composition that the Constitution does not specify?

The Constitution does not specify a number of different things about the Supreme Court including:Qualifications Necessary to become a Supreme Court Judge or any Federal JudgeNumber of justices on the CourtDistinction between Chief Justice and Associate JusticesLength of Service or Term (it is implied to be a life term, but never made explicit)How to leave the Supreme CourtResponsibility for Circuit CourtsWhen the Court's Term begins and endsThe Proper Relationship with Lower Courts, i.e. that cases in the District Courts must go through the US Courts of Appeals / Circuit Courts before going to the Supreme CourtRequirement for a Writ of Certiorari (for a case to be heard)Judicial Reivew


Which US Presidents did not appoint a justice to the Supreme Court?

Oh, dude, let me drop some knowledge on you. So, there are actually six US Presidents who didn't appoint a justice to the Supreme Court. Those lucky fellas are William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Andrew Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and - brace yourself - Joe Biden. Looks like they missed out on that fun task, huh?

Related Questions

How long is a term in offices for a supreme court justice?

they serve the supreme court for a life long termFederal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are appointed for life. They leave office by resigning/retiring, impeachment, or death.For Life, but they can be impeached or retire at their own request.


What are three ways a US Supreme Court justice can leave office?

US Supreme Court justices are appointed for life and only leave office in one of the following four ways:ResignationRetirementDeathImpeachment and conviction


What US Supreme Court justice also ran for US President?

Charles Evans Hughes is one of only two justices to leave the Court and later return (the other is John Rutledge). Hughes served as an Associate Justice from 1910-1916, then left to run for President, lost, and was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, where he presided from 1930-1941.


Can you have a second term for chief justice?

There are no terms for US Supreme Court Justices. A Chief Justice may remain in that office until he or she decides to leave or is unable to do the job any more (as in very sick or dead). If a Chief Justice steps down, the Senior Associate Justice serves in his (or her) capacity on an interim basis until the Chief Justice is able to return to work or the President and Senate choose a successor. This has happened a few times in the history of the Supreme Court.


Who makes up the Supreme Court in judicial branch?

The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice (judge) and eight associate justices. They are nominated by the president when vacancies occur, and the president's nominees are confirmed by the Senate. If a nominee is denied confirmation, the president must submit another until the position is filled. Once confirmed, Supreme Court justices have their positions for life, or until they resign or are removed from office through a process of impeachment.


Who goes to the Supreme Court in New Zealand?

All cases that are appealed from the Court of Appeal go to the Supreme Court. First you must seek leave (permission) of the court to make your appeal, however.


What is the only way supreme court judges can resign?

Supreme Court justices can leave office by dying, resigning or retiring. They can also be impeached. There is no single way they can "resign"


What happens if a Senator is appointed as a justice to the US Supreme Court?

If a senator were to leave the senate in order to serve on the Supreme Court, the governnor of his or her state would appoint a new senator to complete the remaining portion of the senatorial term of office.


What is a special leave petition?

Special leave petition means that you take special permission to be heard in appeal against any High Court/tribunal verdict. Usually any issue decided by the State High Court is considered as final, but if there exist any constitutional issue or legal issue which can only be clarified by the Supreme Court of India then, this leave is granted by the Supreme Court & this is heard as a Civil or Criminal appeal as the case may be. Going to the Supreme Court in appeal should not be considered a matter of right by any one but it is matter of privilege which only the Supreme Court will grant to any individual if there exist an important constitutional or legal issue involved in any case that was not properly interpreted by the concerned High Court against whose judgment you approach the Highest court of the country not otherwise


How many justices are on the US Supreme Court and how long are their terms?

Congress set the current number of Supreme Court justices at nine (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices) in the Judiciary Act of 1869, and has the authority to pass legislation making future changes.


Did The Constitution made provision for a Supreme Court but leave the format of the court to Congress?

Article III of the Constitution leaves it to Congress to fix the number of justices.


How does the current US President have the ability to affect the balance of the US Supreme Court?

President Obama probably won't have an opportunity to change the balance of the Supreme Court, because the justices most likely to leave office during Obama's tenure are both considered liberal, and would be replaced by other liberals. The only way Obama can change the tenor of the Court is by replacing a conservative justice with a liberal, a vacancy unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future.