Definition
Judicial independence is the principle that judges should decide cases according to the law and the facts, free from interference, intimidation, or retaliation by the executive, the legislature, or private interests.
It is not a privilege for judges as individuals but a structural condition meant to serve litigants. The aim is impartial adjudication, especially when one party to a case is the government itself.
Why it matters
How it works
The Constitution builds independence through concrete protections: federal judges serve during good behavior, effectively for life, and their salaries cannot be reduced while in office. These rules remove the two most direct levers of pressure.
Independence is reinforced by norms as well as text, such as the expectation that the political branches comply with court rulings. The counterweight is accountability, since judges may still be removed by impeachment for serious misconduct.