1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Term limits for Supreme Court justices are necessary to maintain judicial independence and promote a well-functioning democracy. The Constitution allows for term limits by permitting justices to transition to "senior status" after a set number of years, retaining their office and salary while taking on duties like hearing cases in lower federal courts. Lifetime appointments have led to average tenures of over 25 years in recent decades, concentrating immense power in the hands of a few individuals for extended periods. Term limits would regularly refresh the Court's membership, ensuring it better reflects evolving public views. Just as 49 states impose term limits or mandatory retirement ages on their high courts, the U.S. Supreme Court should follow suit to uphold democratic principles and prevent lifetime tenure from calcifying the Court's makeup for generations. Establishing a reasonable tenure length through term limits is crucial for maintaining this co-equal branch's legitimacy and accountability to the people.