For all the stereotypes in the hothouse atmosphere (which was exaggerated in 1967 and almost cartoonish now), it's also awfully entertaining (Fonda's act with Caine's saxophone is classic Preminger pushing the envelope of the ratings code) and full of eccentric color (Burgess Meredith as
a corrupt judge whose show of jurisprudence and objectivity is so contrived it's as if he's flaunting his corruption).
So there are good reasons why
judges are not «in the fray» and lack agency within the political branches:
judges must be independent, impartial and fair, and not beholden to donors
whose influence might compromise and
corrupt their judicial virtues.