
Judicial independence is a key component of any genuine constitutional democracy. The constitutions of some democratic countries provide appointments to the judges for a specific period of time, but invariably they protect their independence of action during their terms of office. The U.S. Constitution, for example, protects judicial independence in two ways. Firstly, Article III says that federal judges may hold their positions “during good Behaviour,” which means they have lifetime appointments as long as they satisfy the ethical and legal standards of their judicial office. Secondly, Article III says that the legislative and executive branches may not combine to punish judges by decreasing payments for their services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Judges are protected from the influence of other branches of government | The Constitution prevents judges from facing political or personal consequences for their decisions |
| Judges are protected from shifting popular opinion | Judges are able to apply the law freely and fairly |
| Judges have lifetime appointments | Article III of the Constitution states that federal judges may hold their positions "during good behaviour" |
| Judges are protected from punitive or coercive actions by the legislative and executive departments of the government | Article III of the Constitution states that the legislative and executive branches may not combine to punish judges by decreasing payments for their services |
| Judges are protected from improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences | The judiciary shall decide matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution protects judges from the influence of other branches of government
- The Constitution prevents judges from abusing their power
- The Constitution guarantees judges' independence of action during their terms of office
- The Constitution ensures judges are protected from shifting popular opinion
- The Constitution gives judges the power to do their jobs

The Constitution protects judges from the influence of other branches of government
The Constitution also sets out ways to prevent judges from abusing their power. For example, it gives judges the power to do their jobs but also guarantees that independent courts and judges remain faithful to the rule of law. This balance is essential to any genuine constitutional democracy.
Judicial independence is crucial because it allows judges to apply the law freely and fairly, without facing punitive or coercive actions by other branches of government. This insulation from outside influence ensures that judges can make decisions based on what is right under the law, rather than on shifting popular opinion or political considerations.
The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by the State and enshrined in the Constitution or the law of the country. All governmental and other institutions have a duty to respect and observe this independence. This includes the legislative and executive departments, which must not interfere with the judiciary's decision-making process or attempt to restrict or influence its judgments.
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The Constitution prevents judges from abusing their power
The U.S. Constitution, for example, protects judicial independence by stating in Article III that federal judges may hold their positions "during good behaviour". This effectively gives them lifetime appointments, as long as they satisfy the ethical and legal standards of their office. Article III also states that the legislative and executive branches may not combine to punish judges by decreasing payments for their services.
The constitutions of some democratic countries provide appointments to judges for a specific period of time, but they invariably protect their independence of action during their terms of office. This is to ensure that judges can apply the law freely and fairly, which is essential to the rule of law. It is the duty of all governmental and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary.
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The Constitution guarantees judges' independence of action during their terms of office
The Constitution guarantees judges independence of action during their terms of office. This is referred to as judicial independence and it is essential to the rule of law.
Judicial independence is the principle that the judicial component of government is independent of the legislative and executive departments. This means that judges are protected from punitive or coercive actions by these other branches of government. As a result, they can make fair decisions that uphold the rule of law, without facing political or personal consequences.
The US Constitution, for example, protects judicial independence in two ways. Firstly, Article III says that federal judges may hold their positions "during good behaviour". This means that they have lifetime appointments as long as they satisfy the ethical and legal standards of their judicial office. Secondly, Article III also says that the legislative and executive branches may not combine to punish judges by decreasing payments for their services.
The constitutions of some democratic countries provide appointments to the judges for a specific period of time, but they invariably protect their independence of action during their terms of office. This is because independent judges protect our freedoms, but it is also important to protect the people from a court that is too powerful. The Constitution gives judges the power to do their jobs, but it also sets out ways to prevent them from abusing their power.
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The Constitution ensures judges are protected from shifting popular opinion
The Constitution gives judges the power to do their jobs, but it also sets out ways to prevent them from abusing their power. This guarantees that independent courts and judges remain faithful to the rule of law. Article III of the Constitution tells us that judges “shall hold their offices during good behaviour”. Though this is a bit vague, the intent is clear. The judiciary shall decide matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason.
The constitutions of some democratic countries provide appointments to the judges for a specific period of time, but invariably they protect their independence of action during their terms of office. The founders understood that judges who are able to apply the law freely and fairly are essential to the rule of law. Our federal judges are protected from the influence of the other branches, as well as shifting popular opinion. This insulation is referred to as judicial independence, and it allows them to make decisions based on what is right under the law, without facing political (not getting reelected) or personal (getting fired, having their salary lowered) consequences for the decisions they make.
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The Constitution gives judges the power to do their jobs
Article III of the US Constitution, for example, protects judicial independence in two ways. First, it says that federal judges may hold their positions "during good behaviour". In effect, they have lifetime appointments as long as they satisfy the ethical and legal standards of their judicial office. Second, it says that the legislative and executive branches may not combine to punish judges by decreasing payments for their services.
The constitutions of some democratic countries provide appointments to the judges for a specific period of time, but invariably they protect their independence of action during their terms of office. The judiciary shall decide matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason.
The founders understood that judges who are able to apply the law freely and fairly are essential to the rule of law. The Constitution guarantees our rights on paper, but this would mean nothing without independent courts to protect them. Our federal judges are protected from the influence of the other branches, as well as shifting popular opinion. This insulation is referred to as judicial independence, and it allows them to make decisions based on what is right under the law, without facing political (not getting re-elected) or personal (getting fired, having their salary lowered) consequences for the decisions they make.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution protects judicial independence by guaranteeing the rights of its citizens on paper and ensuring that independent courts can protect those rights.
The Constitution ensures that judges are independent by protecting them from the influence of other branches of government, as well as shifting popular opinion.
Article III of the Constitution states that judges "shall hold their offices during good behaviour". This means that they have lifetime appointments as long as they satisfy the ethical and legal standards of their judicial office.
Judicial independence protects citizens' rights by ensuring that judges can apply the law freely and fairly, without facing political or personal consequences for their decisions.
While it is important to protect the independence of judges, it is also important to protect citizens from a court that is too powerful. The Constitution sets out ways to prevent judges from abusing their power, such as by ensuring that they can be held accountable for their decisions.


















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