How can a Supreme Court justice be removed from office?

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Supreme Court justices in the United States can be removed from office through the process of impeachment.1

Under the U.S. Constitution, the process functions as follows:

  • Initiation: The U.S. House of Representatives holds the sole power to formally charge a justice with wrongdoing, such as a crime or abuse of power. If a majority of the House votes to approve the articles of impeachment, the justice is considered impeached.1
  • Trial: Following impeachment, the U.S. Senate holds a trial to determine the justice's guilt or innocence.1
  • Removal: If the justice is convicted by a two-thirds majority vote of the senators present, they are removed from office.1

While all federal officials are subject to this process, it is rare. Only one Supreme Court justice, Samuel Chase, has ever been impeached; he was acquitted by the Senate in 1805.2