Should the same impeachment process and standards be used for judges, justices, and presidents?
Are the same process and standards used?
Yes and yes. Read this article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_in_the_United_States
President Clinton was not convicted by the Senate for perjury (i.e., lying under oath). The Senate found his actions did not constitute a high crime and misdemeanor.
If a federal judge acted similarly (i.e., lied on the stand in regard to an extramarital affair), would the federal judge be more or less likely to be impeached?
I assume sitting Federal Judges would not be so stupid to directly lie under oath, since extramarital affairs are state offenses, and in most states, that is illegal, the judge could plead the 5th if he could be charged by that state (of residence, or visiting) http://www.freep.com/story/life/2014/04/17/graphic-states-with-antiadultery-laws-include-michigan/77154744/
Now if he couldn't plead the fifth, most would tell the truth, and suffer the wrath of the spouse, rather than be convicted of perjury. My guess, is some unpopular judges would go to trial, and some would even be convicted.
The impeachment process for judges, justices, and presidents in the United States may vary slightly, but they generally follow similar principles. Let's go into more detail about the process and standards for each:
1. Judges:
When it comes to federal judges, impeachment falls under Article II, Section 4 of the United States Constitution, which states that judges, along with the President and other civil officers, can be impeached and removed from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." The House of Representatives has the power to impeach federal judges, followed by a trial in the Senate to determine guilt or innocence. The standards for impeachment are intentionally broad, allowing for a wide range of offenses to be considered.
2. Justices:
The impeachment process for Supreme Court justices is similar to that of federal judges, as they are also subject to impeachment under Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution. However, historically, no Supreme Court justice has ever been impeached or removed from office. This may be due to the higher threshold of political consensus required to pursue impeachment against a justice.
3. Presidents:
The impeachment process for the President is outlined in Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution, which states that the President can be impeached and removed from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." The House of Representatives holds the power to impeach the President, followed by a trial in the Senate. A conviction requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. The standard of impeachment for a President includes acts that may be considered an abuse of power or a violation of public trust.
In conclusion, while the standards and exact processes may differ slightly, the overall concept of impeachment, involving charges of serious misconduct and potential removal from office, applies to judges, justices, and presidents.