Supreme Court Term Limits?

As the Supreme Court dives into the medical marijuana debate, a new poll shows that majority of Americans support doing away with life tenure for the justices. Specifically, 60% of those surveyed support a mandatory retirement age for justices. Of course, approximately the same number of people couldn’t identify Rehnquist’s job, so I’m not sure this was the most informed group of citizens to poll.

On a similar note, I’ve come across a recent law review article that discusses an alternative – staggered non-renewable 18-year terms that would allow for two appointments during every presidential term. That might not be such a bad idea. It would still keep the justices isolated from the political pressure to get reappointed, but would build in a natural turn over that would keep fresh ideas on the bench and, through their sheer number, probably lessen the partisan pitched battles over confirmations.