Judicial selection in Connecticut
| Judicial selection in Connecticut | |
 | |
| Connecticut Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt., legislative confirmation |
| Term: | 8 years |
| Connecticut Appellate Court | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt., legislative confirmation |
| Term: | 8 years |
| Connecticut Superior Court | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt., legislative confirmation |
| Term: | 8 years |
| Connecticut Probate Courts | |
| Method: | Partisan elections |
| Term: | 4 years |
Contents |
There are 7 judgeships on the Supreme Court, 9 on the Appellate Court, and 170 on the Superior Court. All these judges are selected by commission-selection and political appointment. Before judges can start serving, they must be confirmed by the Connecticut General Assembly. The geographic basis for selection is statewide.[1]
Appointed Term Duration
Justices appointed to the Supreme, Appellate, and Superior Courts are in term for 8 years. Judges, after 8 years, are retained by the governor's renomination and legislature's reappointment.[1]
Qualifications for serving
In order to serve on the Connecticut Supreme Court, Connecticut Appellate Court or the Connecticut Superior Court, one must be:
- a resident of Connecticut,
- licensed to practice law in the state; and
- under the age of 70. [1]
Probate Court
Judges of the Connecticut Probate Courts are the only judges chosen by partisan elections in the state. They are elected to four year terms. [2]
In order to serve the Probate Court, one must be:
- a resident of the probate district; and
- between the ages of 18 and 70. [3]
Judicial Selection Commission
The Judicial Selection Commission's purpose is evaluation, investigation and recommendation of candidates who are clearly qualified and set forth for consideration by the Governor for nomination as judges for the Superior Court, the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court. The Commission is composed of twelve members. Two members are first appointed from each congressional district. One must be a lwayer, the other a non-lawyer. The six members that are lawyers are appointed by the governor, whereas the six non-lawyers are appointed by a series of officials such as the president pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the majority leaders of the house and senate, and the minority leaders of the house and senate. It is mandatory that no more than six commission members belong to the same political party. More over commission members serve three year terms, and can not be elected, appointed state officials, or hold a statewide office if a political party.[4]
History of the Court
- Amendments to the State Constitution and Acts by Legislature
In the year of 1982, the Appellate court was created by constitutional amendment, and shortly after that in 1986 the judicial selection commission was created by constitutional amendment.[1]
See also
References
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