Why is impeachment rarely used to discipline judges?

Impeachment is rarely used to discipline judges because it is an inherently cumbersome, slow, ill-defined, inflexible, and ineffective procedure. In the context of the United States, the process requires a formal charge by the House of Representatives followed by a trial in the Senate, making it a significant legislative undertaking rather than a routine disciplinary measure.12

Because of these procedural hurdles, very few judges have ever been impeached or convicted. While impeachment remains a constitutional mechanism to address serious misconduct, such as the abuse of office, its complexity often leads to its infrequent use. Consequently, some jurisdictions have developed more expeditious methods for judicial discipline, such as vesting senior judges with the power to impose sanctions—ranging from reprimands to removal—or to retire judges who are physically or mentally unfit to perform their duties.1