Comparing the independence of the supreme courts (US) 4.6

Question 1

what is imperative when performing as a justice

Answer 1

Judicial independence

Question 2

what are judges immune to when supreme courting

Answer 2

• prosecution for acts carried out in their judicial function.
• defamation
• Judges’ salaries cannot be reduced.

Question 3

how is Judicial Independence shown in the USA

Answer 3

• Debated by the Founding Fathers
• discussed in The Federalist Papers.
• Federal judges have life tenure and their salaries cannot be reduced.

Question 4

what are the four categories judges find themselves in

Answer 4

• liberal or conservative
• loose constructionist or strict constructionist/originalist

Question 5

what did Bush v Gore (2000) show to the American public about judicial independence

Answer 5

• handed the presidential election to Bush = questions about judicial independence.
• Justice John Paul Stevens said the decision ‘hurt the nation’s confidence in the judiciary.’

Question 6

give me two examples of Judicial Independence in the US

Answer 6

• United States v Nixon (1974): Nixon had to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials related to the Watergate scandal to a federal district court
• Clinton v Jones (1997): The Court rejected President Clinton’s claim of immunity from prosecution.

Question 7

what is so special about chief Juctice Roberts

Answer 7

• Republican appointed
• sided with liberal justices on significant cases like : abortion access, LGBTQ+ job protection, and upholding Obamacare.
• VP Pence called Roberts a “great disappointment” to conservatives.