What are the age requirements for appointment to the US Supreme Court?

Answer 1

There are no age requirements for Supreme Court justices. In fact, unlike candidates for Congress and the Presidency, there are no constitutional requirements at all. This doesn't mean the President could nominate a 10-year-old; he's (or she's) expected to select someone with appropriate qualifications, or the Senate will reject the nomination.

This is what happened when former President George W. Bush nominated White House Counsel Harriet Miers for a position on the Supreme Court. The American Bar Association declared her unqualified, the Senate Judiciary Committee protested, and her name was formally withdrawn.

Most US Supreme Court justices are appointed while in their 40s and 50s.

Answer 2

The Constitution does not set minimum or maximum age requirements for Supreme Court justices.

There are no constitutional age, residency, citizenship, or educational requirements for Supreme Court justices. This does not mean the President could appoint a five-year-old child to the Supreme Court, as some have suggested, only that the Constitution is silent on the subject, leaving the practical questions to the current government.

The unwritten requirements for Supreme Court Justices can be quite stringent. In practice, Presidents always appoint highly qualified lawyers, many who have additional experience as judges, to serve on the Supreme Court. As a result, appointees are usually in their 50s at the time of their appointment. The youngest Justice to the Supreme Court was Joseph Story at 32 years old, but that was way back in 1812.

When deciding whom to appoint, Presidents often have to strike a balance - they want someone who is well educated and knowledgeable, and gaining such experience takes time. However, they also want appointees to be as young as possible, since Supreme Court justices can serve for life, the President usually wants someone who will likely be able to serve for a few decades, allowing them to make a lasting impact on the court's jurisprudence.

Many people believe that the lack of an age limit or a term limit helps SCOTUS remain an impartial body. It prevents one President from having the power to appoint a large number of justices that will, more than likely, side with the serving President's views. Others believe many justices serve beyond their intellectual capacity or too rigid to adapt to a changing Court.

Answer 3

There is no minimum age specified in the US Constitution for someone to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. As a practical matter, however, it is highly unlikely that the Senate would approve a nominee to the Supreme Court who does not have a law degree and has not practiced law for a number of years.

Answer 4

There are actually no requirements except appointment by the president and consent of the senate.

Theoretically you could be a 20-year-old law student

Of course, practically, a candidate will probably have a successful record as a judge.

Answer 5

A Supreme Court justice must be at least 30 years of age. He or she must be licensed to practice law in the state where he or she is sitting as a judge.

Answer 6

The Constitution does not specify a minimum or maximum age, but you must have appropriate experience. Most US Supreme Court judges are appointed while in their 40s and 50s.

Answer 7

It doesn't matter

Answer 8

20 years old

Answer 9

There is no age requirement.