The courts
Article III judge
A judge appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, holding office during good behavior with salary that cannot be reduced. Removable only by impeachment.
In full
Life tenure and salary protection exist so judges can rule against the government without fear. Article III judges sit on the district courts, the courts of appeals, the Supreme Court, and the Court of International Trade. Magistrate judges, bankruptcy judges, and administrative law judges are not Article III and serve fixed terms.
Also written as: life tenure
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.