Why Do Judges Become Corrupt

What makes an average judge decide to turn corrupt? How many courtrooms follow corrupt practices? What can the impact be when judges lack a sense of public duty? It may be difficult to find the answers to questions that provoke so much guilt, but finding them means relief. Relief for Americans who do not trust rulings and need help to understand them, or receive another hearing. The grandest moment in recent corruption history for the United States government dates back to the 1960’s when Richard M. Nixon was assisted by a team who raided the Pentagon. Although they were caught and stopped, generation X lost trust in their government, and many continued on with disbelief of those in power, including judges. Now, many people today would agree that it would not be difficult …show more content…
Ronald E. Riggio explained in a blog: what can cause one to become corrupt, or more so. He is an expert in leadership, and focuses on how judges can crave more and more power. Firstly, he explains that all leaders crave power, and there are two different rewards: social and personal (How Power Corrupts Leaders, 2009). Social being for the benefit of the people they lead, and personal for selfish gains. He claims that as a leader (such as a judge) gains more power, it is likely for them to become more, “[focused] on egocentric desires.” However, Riggio states that often leaders can believe they are, “working for the greater good.” Hence, they may act as if they are lawmakers. They can begin to feel “intoxicated with power.” We are feeding our judges with power over the checks and balances system, and some are eating like dogs. Corruption and desire for power are only related to personal gain. We need more than by the people. We need for the people as well. The comfortability with abusing power comes easier with time. Judges should not be allowed endless terms. Lifelong power is too similar to absolute