Federal Judges' Salaries

Term Paper # 99205

Law
Political Science

This paper examines the federal judicial salary crisis.

725 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that the salaries of federal judges are dependent on the salaries of Congress. The paper relates that Congress has been unwilling to "award itself" standard salary increases over the past few decades because of public discontent with the government. The paper relates that Justices are resigning their positions since salaries for private sector lawyers are steadily increasing.

Outline:
Introduction
History
Justice Views
Federal Judge Resignations
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The judicial branch of the federal government has been concerned with issues related to the salaries of judges for a number of years. The salaries of federal judges are connected by law to the "salaries of members of Congress" ("Federal Judicial", 2001). However, Congress has been unwilling to "award itself" standard salary increases over the past few decades because of public discontent with government ("Federal Judicial", 2001). Although Chief Justice Rehnquist, and his successor, Chief Justice Roberts have attempted to bring the issue to the public, their voices have created no change in the salaries of the federal judiciary. Until Congress is prepared to either alter the laws attaching judicial salaries to its body, or vote in normal cost of living increases for itself there does not appear to be an answer to this issue in the near future."

Sample of Sources Used:

Federal judicial pay erosion: A report of the need for reform. (2001). American Bar Association. Retrieved August 3, 2006, from http://www.abanet.org/poladv/2001judicialpayreport.html
Pankey, K., and Remus, K. (2003). Setting judicial compensation: Commissions and other mechanisms. National Center for State Courts. Retrieved August 3, 2006, from http://www.ncsconline.org/WC/Publications/KIS_JudCom_Commissions2002_Pub.pdf
Resnick, J. (2001). Trial as error: Jurisdiction as inquiry, transforming the meaning of article III. Harvard Law Review. 113(4): 1012-1022.
Schwemle. B. (2005). CRS report for congress. United States Government. Retrieved August 3, 2006, from http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/98-53.pdf
Stout, L. (2002). Judges as altruistic hierarchs. William and Mary Law Review. 43(4): 1605-1615.