Final answer:
Judges first assume the bench under the merit plan by being nominated by the President and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate. This process ensures their independence as they are entitled to lifetime service. Nominees typically have significant legal experience and take an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the merit plan, judges first assume the bench through a careful selection process. In the federal system, when a vacancy arises, the President nominates a candidate, often chosen with considerations such as experience, educational background, and judicial philosophy. The nominee is then subject to the Advice and Consent of the Senate, requiring a majority vote for confirmation.
This process is intended to ensure an independent judiciary, free from political pressures, as federal judges are entitled to serve for life unless they retire, resign, or are impeached, according to Article III of the Constitution. Candidates do not require specific constitutional requirements such as age or residency, unlike other branches of government, although nominees typically have extensive legal experience. Once confirmed, judges take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States.