Judicial selection in Arkansas

Judicial selection in Arkansas
Arkansas Supreme Court
Method:	Non-partisan election of judges
Term:	8 years
Arkansas Court of Appeals
Method:	Non-partisan election of judges
Term:	6 years
Arkansas Circuit Courts
Method:	Non-partisan election of judges
Term:	6 years
Arkansas District Courts
Method:	Non-partisan election of judges
Term:	4 years

Supreme Court

Justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court are elected to eight year terms in a nonpartisan election that occurs at the same time as primary elections for other state officials. If a candidate does not receive a majority of the vote, then there is a runoff between the candidates in the general election.

If a vacancy on the court occurs, gubernatorial appointment is required.

The chief justice of the court serves an eight year term and is elected by popular election.

In order to join the court, an individual must meet the following qualifications:

• be 30 yrs of age;
• be of good moral character;
• be learned in the law;
• be an U.S. citizen and state resident at least 2 yrs;
• and have 8 years practice of law.

Court of Appeals

All aspects of the Arkansas Court of Appeals are the same as the Arkansas Supreme Court, excluding the chief justice being elected to a four year term and chosen by a previous justice. Judges on the Arkansas Court of Appeals serve a six year term.

Circuit Court

All aspects of the Arkansas Circuit Courts are the same as the Arkansas Court of Appeals, excluding the chief justice being elected to no set term.

In order to join the court, an individual must meet the following qualifications:

• be 28 years of age;
• be of good moral character;
• be learned in the law;
• be an U.S. citizen;
• be a state resident at least 2 years;
• have had 6 yrs practice of law.

Judicial Nominating Commissions

No judicial nominating commissions are used to screen potential judicial candidates in the state of Arkansas.

See also

• State Supreme Court elections
• Campaign finance requirements for Arkansas judicial elections
• Arkansas judicial elections
• Courts in Arkansas

External links

• American Judicature Society, Judicial selection in Arkansas
• American Judicature Society, History of Reform Efforts: Arkansas
• Judicial selection in Arkansas

References