Читать книгу The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book - David L Hudson - Страница 47

The Constitution provides no criteria or qualifications for federal judges. Technically, a non-lawyer with no legal experience could be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

CourtSpeak: Federal Judgeship Rating Systems

ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary: “To merit a rating of ‘Well Qualified,’ the nominee must be at the top of the legal profession in his or her legal community; have outstanding legal ability, breadth of experience, and the highest reputation for integrity; and either demonstrate or exhibit the capacity for judicial temperament. The rating of ‘Qualified’ means that the nominee meets the Committee’s very high standards with respect to integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament and that the Committee believes that the nominee will be able to perform satisfactorily all of the duties and responsibilities required by the high office of a federal judge.

“When a nominee is found ‘Not Qualified,’ the Committee, based on its investigation, has determined that the nominee does not meet the Committee’s standards with regard to professional competence, judicial temperament or integrity.”

Congress and the Department of Justice carefully review nominees to determine if they have the requisite degree of professional accomplishment and experience necessary for the lofty position. Most of the judges have a record of outstanding professional achievement, key political connections, and a history of public service in some capacity. Many appellate judges have had some prior judicial experience. For example, all nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court previously had some form of judicial experience before they served on the U.S. Supreme Court.