Federal Court Appointment Process
1. Department of Justice keeps a file on likely candidates, getting names from Senators and other important party leaders.
2. Informal investigation conducted with outsiders by the Deputy Attorney General.
3. Names of leading candidates sent to the American Bar Association (ABA), Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary.
Rated: Exceptionally Well Qualified
Well Qualified Qualified Not qualified
4. Decision is made by the Attorney General; Department of Justice consults informally with the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
5. FBI investigation.
6. Recommendation from the Attorney General to the President.
7. Announcement of nomination by the President; sent to the Senate.
8. Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings, vote, report to the full Senate, final vote.
9. If confirmed by the Senate, to the President for signature.