Sue and Tim are arguing about the value of appointing rather than electing federal judges. Tim says they are appointed because they need to be independent. What does he mean? Judges do not depend on voter will to keep their jobs. If that were the case, then judges would make decisions based on popular will rather than interpretations of law. Judges receive their commissions from the president so they are independent in the sense that only the president needs to approve their decisions, not other officials. Judges make decisions in isolation from other judges so that their interpretati
ons of the law are not affected by the opinions or judgments of the associate judges. Judges are like other federal officials and must consider the people's will when deciding a case. They consult with other officials and the president to make decisions.
Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!