Do you know the role of Judges? Our constitutional illiteracy shows up in misconceptions about their job. You might be surprised by the truth behind the Judge’s role in our Constitutional Republic. Let’s take a look:
Authority Myth
1. Judges do not have the authority to make laws. That authority belongs solely to the Legislative Branch (Congress). (See Article 1, section 1)
Law Enforcement Myth
2. Judges cannot enforce laws as much as we might like them to do so. That is the job of the Executive Branch. “…he (the President) shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed…” (Article II, section 3)
Interpretation Myth
3. Judges cannot circumvent the law or serve as unelected rulers of our country. Their job is to discover and apply the law, not interpret it as they would like.
Terms of Service Myth
4. Judges do not serve for life. The Constitution declares that they serve while maintaining good behavior. (“The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour,” Article III, section 1)
Knowledge is power. The more we know about what the Constitution says, the more we avoid being carried away by misconceptions that contribute to a divided citizenry. This is more than civics. It’s about safeguarding our Constitutional Republic through literacy.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
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Additional information: https://civicsandcitizenship.org/simple-civics-101-the-judicial-branch/
