Amendment: Court Reform

Having seen the degradation of the Supreme Court from austere and wise body to partisan clown show, the People must return the courts to the goals of protecting the individual from the majority; interpreting and rationalizing the law with the Constitution, and keeping the Legislature and Executive in check.

1. The Justices of the Supreme Court shall be chosen from among the most senior and non-partisan justices of the federal judiciary by vote of members in good standing of the federal bar. Any justice may serve up to 20 years and then may choose retirement or return to the lower courts. The Chief Justice shall be selected from among the Justices by them and removable from the position by them.
2. Judges of appellate or special courts shall be selected by vote of the federal bar from among the district court judges. District court judges shall be selected from the most experienced lawyers from and by the federal bar.
3. Judges and justices continue to be subject to removal from their court through the impeachment process. Every judge and justice is subject to every law and regulation that any other citizen or person is subject to - without fear, favor, or delay. Convictions for felonies terminate their tenure.
4. Any lawyer, judge, or justice who practices in a partisan manner, corruptly, or fails to represent bona fide clients zealously, legally, and without hidden conflicts, shall be subject to professional sanctions, criminal liability, and civil liability. The Judiciary must maintain a complaint process that is both accessible to citizens but punishes frivolous or shallow claims by the same.
5. It is essential that Court Orders be followed by the Legislature and Executive. Federal judges and justices may call any public official into Court to answer for failure to heed an Order and if the failure is willful and the respondent refuses to remediate, the Judge may submit an impeachment order to the Senate for public debate and adjudication. The Senate may not conduct any other business until the case is complete.
6. The Marshal Service and Department of Justice shall report to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Court must maintain public policies that demonstrate appropriate controls and separation where such is necessary for the administation of justice.
7. All Supreme Court justice selected by a partisan process must be phased out or reselected in accordance with this amendment within nine years of ratification. All other federal judges within 20 years.