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iemanja

(57,647 posts)
Mon Jan 5, 2026, 10:44 PM Jan 5

92 years old

That is the age of the judge, Hellerstein, overseeing the Maduro prosecution. He seems very qualified: he was the judge at many of the 9/11 era terrorism cases, and he has ruled against Trump in the past. Is there, however, no limit to the age of government servants? 92 is incredible.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/venezuela-maduro-judge-hellerstein-00710894

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Ms. Toad

(38,422 posts)
3. Most federal judges take senior status at some point -
Mon Jan 5, 2026, 10:48 PM
Jan 5

Minimum criteria is 10 years service + at least 65 years old. But it isn't mandatory - and judges in senior status are incentivized to continue a 25% caseload because of the benefits they get if they do.

Judge Hellerstein assumed senior status in 2011.

Princess Turandot

(4,907 posts)
7. When they take senior status, that opens their seat up for a new appointment, correct?..
Mon Jan 5, 2026, 11:18 PM
Jan 5

By doing so in 2011, Hellerstein knew his seat would be filled by then-President Obama.

marble falls

(71,404 posts)
5. How old is Hogsbreath, how old is Bernie Sanders? Age does have something to with it sometimes. I'm seventy five ...
Mon Jan 5, 2026, 11:00 PM
Jan 5

... and over the hill. I wouldn't trust me to feed your cats.

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