Federal Judge
A federal judge is a judicial officer who serves in the federal court system. Federal judges include district judges, circuit judges, and Supreme Court justices, as well as judges in specialized federal courts. Their appointment process and terms depend on the type of court and applicable law.
A federal judge is a judicial officer who serves in the federal court system. Federal judges include district judges, circuit judges, and Supreme Court justices, as well as judges in specialized federal courts. Their appointment process and terms depend on the type of court and applicable law.
Example: Sonia Sotomayor served as a federal district judge and then a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit before joining the Supreme Court.
Common misconception: All federal judges have identical tenure and appointment rules. Article III judges generally hold office during good behavior, while some specialized federal judges serve fixed terms under statute.
Sources: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/types-federal-judges; https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx