Thomas Jefferson Quotes

The reach of judicial power extends only so far as the executive is willing to enforce it.

It equally proves, that though individual oppression may now and then proceed from the courts of justice, the general liberty of the people can never be endangered from that quarter; I mean so long as the judiciary remains truly distinct from both the legislature and the Executive. For I agree, that "there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers." And it proves, in the last place, that as liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone, but would have every thing to fear from its union with either of the other departments…

Members of the Supreme Court have lifetime tenures because they're not supposed to do politics.

While abolishing judgeships and lower federal courts is a blunt tool and one whose use is warranted only in the most extreme of circumstances... it is one of many possibilities to check and balance the judiciary.

The appointment of judges to the higher judiciary cannot be the sole domain of a few members of the higher judiciary. This turf must be shared.

Poland needs reform of the judiciary, but I am a supporter of a wise reform.

A president shouldn't tell the judiciary what to do.

A judiciary independent of a king or executive alone, is a good thing; but independence of the will of the nation is a solecism, at least in a republican government.

The judiciary must be strengthened and released from political interference.

During my 8 years in office, I set up a special investigatory branch as part of the highest court level. As it happened, from the time I set it up until now, I'm the one who has been investigated under that procedure. Of course, I had not expected this to happen.

It is a mistake to suppose that the Supreme Court is either honoured or helped by being spoken of as beyond criticism. On the contrary, the life and character of its justices should be the objects of constant watchfulness by all, and its judgments subject to the freest criticism.

The judiciary must be independent, impartial and autonomous to impart justice to the people and establish rule of law in the society.

The judicial authority shall not be carried out either by the legislative authority or by the king, but by magistracies instituted and elected to that end.

It (lifetime appointment of judges) is the best expedient which can be devised in any government, to secure a steady, upright, and impartial administration of the laws.

There is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.

It's a good process. It takes a while, and it should. Life tenure is one of our most important safeguards.... I want to make impeachment as our founders had in mind—very difficult.

Statutes and constitutions do not protect judicial independence -- people do.

We must keep in mind the vast power entrusted to Federal judges. They never stand for election. Once appointed, they serve for life. The havoc that a Federal District Court Judge can wreak is substantial.

In this distinct and separate existence of the judicial power in a peculiar body of men, nominated indeed, but not removable at pleasure, by the crown, consists one main preservative of the public liberty; which cannot subsist long in any state unless the administration of justice be in some degree separated from the legislative and also from the executive power. Where it is joined with the legislative, the life, liberty, and property of the subject would be in the hands of arbitrary judges, whose decisions would be regulated only by their own opinions, and not by any fundamental principles of law; which, though legislators may depart from, yet judges are bound to observe. Were it joined with the executive, this union might soon be an overbalance for the legislative. For which reason, by the statute 16 Car. I, c.10, which abolished the Court of Star Chamber, effectual care is taken to remove all judicial power out of the hands of the King's privy council, who, as then was evident from recent instances, might soon be inclined to pronounce that for law which was most agreeable to the prince or his officers. Nothing, therefore, is more to be avoided, in a free constitution, than uniting the provinces of a judge and a minister of state.

Federal judges, alone among public officials, are given life tenure precisely so that they will not be accountable to the people.

I don't suggest we ought to be able to pressure judges, but we ought to be able to criticize [them] when we think they've made a mistake

Federal judges may long outlast the Presidents who appoint them.

The authority of the Supreme Court must not ... be permitted to control the Congress, or the Executive, when acting in their legislative capacities.

Our President is not a King, nor our senate a House of Lords.

I advocate the appointment of [Federal] Judges by the Senate.