How long is the term of office for a federal judge?

The term of office for a federal judge is lifetime tenure, which means they serve for life unless they are removed from office through impeachment or choose to resign. This provision is established in the U.S. Constitution, specifically in Article III, which emphasizes the independence of the judiciary by ensuring that federal judges do not have to face reappointment or electoral pressures, thus allowing them to make decisions based on the law rather than on political considerations.

The lifetime appointment is designed to empower judges to uphold the Constitution and interpret laws without the influence of external political forces, ensuring a stable and fair judicial system. This principle is foundational to the role of the judiciary in maintaining checks and balances within the federal government. Other terms for judges, such as those mentioned in the other choices, do not reflect the actual conditions of a federal judge's tenure.