Federal Judges Need Higher Pay: Roberts

Chief justice renews warning against judicial brain drain

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 1, 2008 3:25 PM CST

(Newser) – Chief Justice John Roberts called for a pay raise for federal judges today in his year-end report on the judicial system, the Washington Post reports. This marks the second straight year that Roberts advocated for higher judicial salaries, and he praised the tentative plan Congress has put forth, calling it "vital legislation."

Roberts opposes the existing link between judicial and congressional pay, which he says has caused an erosion of judges' salaries to the point where they compare, sometimes unfavorably, to those of “first-year lawyers at firms in major cities.” Roberts used the remainder of his report to call for greater cooperation between the three branches of government.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, talks to President of BYU, Cecil O. Samuelson, right, before speaking at a university forum at Brigham Young University, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/ George... (Associated Press)

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts pauses during a speech to the Federalist Society 25th anniversary celebration Friday, Nov. 16, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Associated Press)

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts pauses during a speech to the Federalist Society 25th anniversary celebration Friday, November 16, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Associated Press)

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John Roberts • federal judges

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More Newser Stories

Supreme Court May Have Too Many Judges

Is the High Court Too 'Judgey'?

Federal Judges Lose Pay Raise Battle, Again

Financial crisis kills hike, leaves bench feeling shortchanged

Supreme Court Bans Warrantless GPS Tracking

Obama administration had argued that tracking cars didn't constitute a search

Dem Senator Delays Obama Judicial Pick

Some say Robert Menendez holding grudge

Judge Roberts: All Justices Can Rule on Obamacare

Chief justice says Supreme Court peers can't withdraw

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