Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court
judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States
Senate, as stated in the Constitution. The names of potential nominees
are often recommended by senators or sometimes by members of the House
who are of the President's political party. The Senate Judiciary
Committee typically conducts confirmation hearings for each nominee.
Article III of the Constitution states that these judicial officers are
appointed for a life term.
The Constitution sets forth no specific requirements for judges. However, members
of Congress, who typically recommend potential nominees, and the
Department of Justice, which reviews nominees' qualifications, have
developed their own informal criteria.