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Panel of judges in Supreme Court - Odd number?
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In summary, the intention seems to be to avoid ties, but the number of justices can be changed without a constitutional amendment.
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Astronuc
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That appears to be the intent. Of course, the situation may be complicated of one judge recuses themself based on a conflict; for example, in a potential 5:4 split, one of the 5 recuses themself.akerkarprashant said:
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Vanadium 50
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Did you do any research on this? Any at all?akerkarprashant said:
There was a tie as recently as 202-, and several in 2015.
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collinsmark
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akerkarprashant said:
There's nothing in the US constitution which stipulates the number of Supreme Court Justices. Nor is there anything which stipulates their length of stay.
Yes, it seems that the number of justices has been an odd number to avert ties, but it doesn't have to be that way. Legislation can change that.
The lifetime appointments are in place, presumably to avoid partisan judges/justices. But that can also be changed without requiring a constitutional amendment, since the constitution doesn't stipulate anything about that.
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collinsmark said:
People have argued that the "good behavior" clause is the basis of lifetie appointments.
In my previous message, I meant 2016.
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JT Smith
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It started out as an even number: 6. At a later time it was 10.
You could have looked that up in less than two minutes.
If there is a tie the Constitution stipulates that the Chief Justice and one of the members who voted opposite have either a pistol duel or a naked wrestling match to settle the issue.
You could have looked that up in less than two minutes.
If there is a tie the Constitution stipulates that the Chief Justice and one of the members who voted opposite have either a pistol duel or a naked wrestling match to settle the issue.
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My money is on William Howard Taft.JT Smith said:
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Can I just say how much I absolutely LOVE Sonia Sotomayor!
FAQ: Panel of judges in Supreme Court - Odd number?
What is a panel of judges in the Supreme Court?
A panel of judges in the Supreme Court refers to a group of judges who are responsible for hearing and deciding on cases brought before the highest court in the country. The number of judges on the panel varies but is typically an odd number.
Why is an odd number of judges preferred in a panel?
An odd number of judges is preferred in a panel to avoid the possibility of a tie when making decisions on cases. With an odd number, there will always be a majority vote, ensuring that a decision can be made.
How are judges selected for the panel in the Supreme Court?
Judges for the panel in the Supreme Court are selected by the Chief Justice, who chooses which judges will sit on which cases. The selection process takes into consideration the expertise and experience of the judges.
Can the number of judges on a panel change?
Yes, the number of judges on a panel can change depending on the case being heard. In some instances, the Chief Justice may decide to add more judges to the panel to ensure a fair and balanced decision.
What happens if there is an even number of judges on a panel?
If there is an even number of judges on a panel, it is possible for there to be a tie when making decisions. In this case, the case may be referred to a larger panel or the decision may be made by the Chief Justice.