Connecticut Supreme Court
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The Connecticut Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Connecticut. Over each two year period, as a general rule, it meets eight times in sessions lasting approximately two weeks. Seven justices sit on the court for eight-year renewable terms. They are chosen for the court using the commission selection, political appointment method.
Jurisdiction
As Connecticut's highest court, the Supreme Court of Connecticut reviews decisions made in the Superior Court. Additionally, the Supreme Court is able to review some decisions of the Appellate Court.[1]
The court's justices
Selection of justices
After nomination by the governor from list compiled by Judicial selection Commission, the candidate is appointed by the General Assembly.
"Connecticut judges may be removed in one of three ways:
- Judges may impeached by the house of representatives and removed by two thirds of the senate.
- Judges may be removed by the governor on the address of two thirds of each house of the general assembly.
- The Connecticut Judicial Review Council investigates complaints of judicial misconduct. If the investigation indicates that there is probable cause that the judge is guilty of misconduct, the council conducts a hearing and makes a recommendation to the supreme court. The supreme court may suspend or remove the judge."[2],[3]
Qualifications
All judges must retire at age 70. The only time that this is not followed is the use of judge trial referees, those "who have been designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to hear certain cases." However, a divided Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in 2009 to uphold a state law saying that that a judge reaching the age of 70 may complete work on cases that were begun prior to the age of mandatory retirement. [4]
Current justices
| Name | Appointed/Elected | Term expires | Appointed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Justice Chase Rogers | 2007 | Term expires 2015. | Governor M. Jodi Rell |
| Flemming Norcott | 1992 | Term expires 2016. | Governor Ella T. Grasso (Democrat) |
| Joette Katz | 1992 | Term expires 2016. | Governor Lowell P. Weicker Jr. (A Connecticut Party) |
| Richard Palmer | 1993 | Term expires 2017. | Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (A Connecticut Party) |
| Christine Vertefeuille | 2000 | Term expires 2016. | Governor John G. Rowland (Republican) |
| Peter Zarella | 2001 | Term expires 2009. | Governor John G. Rowland (Republican) |
| Ian McLachlan | 2009 | Term expires 2017. | Governor M. Jodi Rell (Republican) |
| William Sullivan* | 2006 | Term expires 2014. | Governor John G. Rowland (Republican) |
* Senior status
Chief justice
According to Section 51-1b of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the "head of the Judicial Branch and is responsible for its administration." Chase T. Rogers has been a member of the Connecticut Supreme Court since April 25, 2007. She is the court's Chief Justice. Her appointment to the court was unanimously confirmed by the Connecticut Senate and Connecticut House of Representatives.[5]
Notable decisions
2008
History
The court is the direct descendant of the Superior Court of Errors, which was established in 1784, the year before Connecticut was granted its statehood. From its inception, the Superior Court of Errors became the highest appellate tribunal and enjoyed powers previously held by the General Assembly, such as the prerogative to review lower court cases based on writs of error. However, it wasn't until 1818, when Connecticut's first constitution was adopted, that three separate and distinct branches of government were created. The judicial branch, now an official entity, consisted of a Supreme Court of Errors, a Superior Court, and inferior courts that would be determined based upon legislative decree. [6]
Before statehood
Connecticut's judicial history is one of the oldest. "The first judicial procedures probably began in the spring of 1636, thanks to a commission granted to eight Connecticut leaders by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay. [6] Two years later, this same General Court (later recognized as the General Assembly) would establish the Particular Court (sometimes referred to as the Quartet Court, as it was required to meet four times per annum). At this point in Connecticut history, the General Court controlled the administration of justice, while the Particular Court the chief judicial body until 1662 when the colonies of New Haven and Connecticut merged together under an official Charter from Charles II. In 1668, with the Charter as colony's governing document, the Particular Courts were abolished and two new tiers of courts were established in its place: the Court of Assistants (in 1665) and county courts (1668). The Appellate Court system would last until 1711. Having been abolished, its powers of original and appellate jurisdiction were transferred to the newly created Superior Court. The Superior Court established in that year is considered the forerunner to the sole trial court of general jurisdiction in existence today."
Statehood and beyond
In 1855, the county courts- established under Charles II's Charter were abolished and transferred to the Superior Courts. The Superior Court caseload grew significantly; to meet this judicial burden, the General Assembly created a collection of Courts of Common Pleas.
Changes in early 1900s
In 1921, Connecticut's trial courts was established. "Eighteen years later, a trial justice system would be created, and the powers formerly held by all justices of the peace (i.e. limited criminal jurisdiction), were transferred to "specially designed trial justices " and in 1942, a state-wide Juvenile Court was created." [6]
External links
References
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