Roberts blasts inadequate pay for judges

Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | December 31, 2006 | PETE YOST

[indcons]

Pay for federal judges is so inadequate that it threatens to undermine the judiciary's independence, Chief Justice John Roberts says in a year-end report critical of Congress.

Issuing an eight-page message devoted exclusively to salaries, Roberts says the 678 full-time U.S. District Court judges, the backbone of the federal judiciary, are paid about half that of deans and senior law professors at top schools.

In the 1950s, 65 percent of U.S. District Court judges came from the practicing bar and 35 percent came from the public sector. Today the situation is reversed, Roberts said, with 60 percent from the public sector and less than 40 percent from private practice.

Federal district court judges are paid $165,200 annually; appeals court judges make $175,100; associate justices of the Supreme Court earn $203,000; the chief justice gets $212,100.

Thirty-eight judges have left the federal bench in the past six years and 17 in the past two years.

The issue of pay, says Roberts, "has now reached the level of a constitutional crisis."

"Inadequate compensation directly threatens the viability of life tenure, and if tenure in office is made uncertain, the strength and independence judges need to uphold the rule of law - even when it is unpopular to do so - will be seriously eroded," Roberts wrote.

[L98Fiero]

Those are former judges turned celebs. They mediate disputes on TV shows. See what characters the "big bucks" attract?

[Timmy]

You'll note the conservative judges are the ones with the smallest holdings. For someone of Thomas' age, that is very little (the typical 401K for an average engineer his age is much higher).

[Mo1]

1. The free market rules. In this case, the free market has set the "price" for a top-notch legal mind significantly higher that what the gov't is willing to pay. Since when have Freepers allowed the Government to decide the market value of anything?

In a free market when a person sucks at their job .. they can be fired

Federal Judges are appointed .. not hired

[MinuteGal]

An enterprising investigative reporter (a dying breed) could easily put together the yearly incomes of these judges factoring in the benefits.....including health insurance, drivers and car allowances, pensions, dining-room food free or at reduced prices, exercise rooms and pools available to them, travel expenses, secretary, aides and other staff subsidies.......need I go on?

I would wager that their yearly income before taxes is three times the amount given out for public consumption.

Leni

[Wormwood]

In other words: "We act on behalf of the upper class, why shouldn't we be compensated accordingly?"

[McGavin999]

I agree with you totally. Besides, they said they are getting most of the judges from previous government jobs instead of getting them from the general population. It would seem to me it's better to get people who have actually had to live under the laws.

And you are right, market conditions ARE applying which is why so many are leaving. They have families to raise.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Ever heard of "IMPEACHMENT"? (Yes, they can be fired.)")

[indcons]

There are other intangibles (foundation/board memberships, speaking honoria, and the like) with these positions (at least the highest ones) that don't carry a fixed/declared monetary value.

However, you make a valid point.

[RicocheT]

A pay raise for federal judges does not resonate with most U.S. citizens. After all, they get paid for life, even after retiring and off the bench--full pay. They have life time appointments and don't spend a dime on getting reelected. They set their own work hours, case load and get vacation and sick leave as they wish it. They can't be kicked out of the job for most of the reasons mere mortals can.

[Beagle8U]

"Why would you ever know if a person refused the offer of an appointment? Are you the gatekeeper?"

No, I'm not the gatekeeper. I just thought that when the "short list" for a seat on the bench is reported in the media, if it was a problem of some turning down the offer because of pay we would hear about it.

If its a problem they keep it a secret?

[LC HOGHEAD]

Perhaps the argument would have merit if there was a list of those that had turned down the offer of a seat on the bench because it doesn't pay well enough? Actually there WAS a long list of judges who asked NOT to be considered for the last two vacancies.

[indcons]

"After all, they get paid for life, even after retiring and off the bench--full pay."

I did not know THAT. Thanks for the info.

[L98Fiero]

"Is that really your argument?"

It that really your answer to my question?

You claimed judges compete in the free market and I want to know with whom. All I'm doing is asking you to back up that assertion with a fact or two.

[tubebender]

This will only work for me if the money comes from the budget of the 9th Circus Court of Appeals...

[ErnBatavia]

How about the cheapest hair cut?

Au Contraire...I rest my case:

[dennisw]

Judges have a much easier job than lawyers in the dreaded private sector. Judges get fantastic state and Federal pensions. Many judges are lawyers who just can't hack it in the private sector so they make the payoffs bribes ass-kissing to secure a judgeship

Say a lawyer busts his butt for 20 years. Getting a judge appointment is like semi-retirement and with a great pension awaiting you in your golden years

[RGSpincich]

Some folks clean their own homes, drive cars long after paying them off, shop in bulk at Costco, shop the sales at department stores, cook their own meals in their own kitchen, etc, etc.....

Judges just need to learn how to live on what they make.

[cp124]

Outsource the court to India.

[Non-Sequitur]

So, that means a senior-level judge might have the income of a household with a couple of low- to mid-level government bureaucrat supervisors.

Which also means that senior Congressmen and Senators have the income of a household of low to mid-level bureaucrats. Horrors.

That's also one income exceeding that of two low to mid-level government bureaucrat supervisiors. Don't you think that judge's spouses are allowed to work?

[hinckley buzzard]

US Supreme Court packed with millionaires

Pretty much says it all. Most Supreme Court Justices have had years of private practice and/or law school professorships behind them before they even get into the judging game. There are some exceptions, who have made government service their careers, like Justice Thomas, but these too know the salary when they accept the nominations. Anyone who thinks becoming a federal judge is the road to riches, I don't want anywhere near a bench.