Simone Lawson
In the United States, Supreme Court Justices are required to take an oath of office, also known as a swearing-in ceremony, before assuming the duties of their office. This oath, outlined in Title 28, Chapter I, Part 453 of the United States Code, includes a pledge to administer justice without respect to persons and to do equal right to the poor and to the rich. The oath also affirms that the Justice will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon their office under the Constitution and laws of the United States. This oath serves as a commitment to uphold the Constitution and ensure impartial justice for all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oath | "I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God." |
| Who it applies to | Each justice or judge of the United States |
| When to take the oath | Before performing the duties of the office |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Justices swear to uphold the Constitution and laws of the US
- They swear to administer justice without respect to persons
- They must swear to do equal right to the poor and the rich
- Justices take the oath before performing duties of the office
- The oath is to faithfully discharge duties incumbent on them as justices
Justices swear to uphold the Constitution and laws of the US
In the United States, an official must take an oath of office, or a swearing-in ceremony, before taking office. This oath is an allegiance to uphold the Constitution. While the Constitution only specifies an oath of office for the President, Article VI states that other officials, including members of Congress, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution".
This includes Supreme Court Justices, who take an oath to "administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich". They swear to "faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon" them as justices under the Constitution and laws of the United States.
The exact wording of the oath is as follows:
> "I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."
This oath ensures that justices uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States, administering justice fairly and impartially for all persons, regardless of their status or wealth.
The federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court, plays a crucial role in interpreting and enforcing the law, as seen in the case of the Trump administration's defiance of court orders, where the court confronted the question of what to do when its orders are defied.
Hamilton's Constitution: Strict or Loose Interpretation?
You may want to see also
They swear to administer justice without respect to persons
In the United States, Supreme Court justices swear to "administer justice without respect to persons". This is the first part of the Judicial Oath, which dates back to 1789 with the passage of the Judiciary Act. This oath mandates that justices uphold the dignity of each person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, disability, national origin, gender, political affiliation, or any other characteristic. It ensures that individual differences do not impede the impartial administration of justice.
The phrase "without respect to persons" underscores the ideal of equal justice under the law. It signifies that justices must set aside personal biases and prejudices when making decisions. This principle, established during a period of slavery in the country, highlights a commitment to fairness and equality before the law, regardless of social status or wealth.
The oath serves as a reminder that the courthouse is the people's house, open to all who seek justice. It reinforces the notion that everyone who enters the courtroom deserves equal respect and fair treatment under the law. This oath is a solemn promise made by justices to uphold the principles of justice and protect the rights of all individuals who come before the court.
Moreover, the oath underscores the responsibility of justices to ensure fair treatment for all parties, including self-represented litigants. This commitment to administer justice "without respect to persons" reinforces the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system, fostering trust and ensuring that justice is served equally and impartially.
The Constitution's Expressed Powers: A Nation's Foundation
You may want to see also
They must swear to do equal right to the poor and the rich
In the United States, the Constitution outlines an oath of office for the President, and in Article VI, it states that other officials, including members of Congress, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution." This includes Supreme Court Justices, who are required to take an oath or affirmation before performing the duties of their office.
The oath taken by Supreme Court Justices includes the phrase, "I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States."
By including the phrase "do equal right to the poor and to the rich," the oath emphasizes the importance of equal justice under the law, regardless of social or economic status. This is a fundamental principle of the American legal system and is intended to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their wealth or social position, are treated fairly and impartially by the courts.
The oath serves as a reminder to Supreme Court Justices that their decisions and interpretations of the law should be based on impartial and objective legal reasoning, rather than personal biases or preferences. It underscores the responsibility of the judiciary to protect the rights and liberties of all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
By swearing to do equal right to the poor and the rich, Supreme Court Justices acknowledge the importance of equal justice and commit to upholding this principle in their judicial duties. This aspect of the oath reinforces the ideal of a fair and impartial judicial system, where access to justice is not dependent on one's social or economic status but is instead equally available to all.
Enumerated Powers: Congress' Triple Threat to Get Things Done
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Idaho Test Oath : Argument Delivered in the Supreme Court of Idaho Territory, Feb. 10, 1888 / by Hon. Richard Z. Johnson, in the Cases of William Heyward, Appellant, Vs. 1888 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Justices take the oath before performing duties of the office
In the Federal Government, an official must take the oath of office, or a swearing-in ceremony, to take office. While the Constitution does not specify what the swearing-in must include, it does require an oath of office for the President, and Article VI states that other officials, including members of Congress, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution".
According to Title 28, Chapter I, Part 453 of the United States Code, each Supreme Court Justice takes an oath before performing their duties. The oath is as follows:
> "I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."
The oath taken by Supreme Court Justices differs from the presidential oath in that it does not include a pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic". Instead, the justices' oath focuses on the impartial administration of justice and the equal treatment of all persons under the law, regardless of their social or economic status. This oath underscores the critical role of Supreme Court Justices in interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that the laws of the United States are applied fairly and justly to all.
Founding Fathers, Constitution Writers: Were They Pot Smokers?
You may want to see also
The oath is to faithfully discharge duties incumbent on them as justices
In the Federal Government, an official must take an oath of office, or a swearing-in ceremony, to take office. This oath is an allegiance to uphold the Constitution. While the Constitution only specifies an oath of office for the President, Article VI states that other officials, including members of Congress, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution".
This includes Supreme Court Justices, who take the following oath:
> "I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."
The oath is a promise to faithfully discharge the duties that are incumbent on them as justices. This means that they will carry out their responsibilities and obligations as justices without bias or prejudice and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States. The justices swear to uphold the Constitution and administer justice fairly and impartially, without regard to a person's social standing or wealth.
The oath is a solemn and sacred promise that is intended to ensure that Supreme Court Justices carry out their duties with integrity, honour, and a commitment to justice and the rule of law. It is a crucial part of the judicial system and helps to maintain the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
Sugar Twins: Glucosamine and Galactosamine's Isomeric Identity
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to Title 28, Chapter I, Part 453 of the United States Code, each Supreme Court Justice takes an oath to uphold the Constitution.
The oath taken by each Supreme Court Justice is as follows: "I, [NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [TITLE] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God."
The oath of office, or swearing-in ceremony, is a requirement for all officials in the Federal Government before taking office. The oath is a pledge of allegiance to uphold the Constitution and ensure impartial justice for all.
