Final answer:
Federal judges have a crucial impact on U.S. society through their interpretations of the law and Constitution, providing an independent judiciary with life tenure. Their decisions set precedents that guide the country's legal system, and the appointment process involves Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Federal judges play a central role in U.S. life because they are pivotal in the interpretation and application of the Constitution and laws which have significant implications for public policy and social conflict. As outlined in Article III, federal judges are appointed with life tenure to ensure an independent judiciary free from undue political influence. Their decisions are binding across the nation and federally appointed judges, including those on the U.S. Supreme Court, establish precedent for all other courts in the system. The Supreme Court, with its nine justices, is particularly influential in shaping the legal landscape, affecting everything from electoral rules to individual rights and sociocultural issues.
The process of selecting and confirming federal judges is a critical one, involving the President's nomination and the Senate's confirmation, reflecting the system's checks and balances. The most important considerations when filling these positions should be the candidates' qualifications, belief in the sanctity of the Constitution, and their ability to protect individual rights against oppression. The power to appoint judges grants the President a means to exert a lasting influence on the judiciary, which can affect legislative decision-making and has been a source of debate regarding the balance of power.