Judicial selection in Maryland
| Judicial selection in Maryland | |
 | |
| Maryland Court of Appeals | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt., Senate confirmation |
| Term: | 10 years |
| Maryland Court of Special Appeals | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt., Senate confirmation |
| Term: | 10 years |
| Maryland Circuit Court | |
| Method: | Partisan elections |
| Term: | 15 years |
| Maryland District Court | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt., Senate confirmation |
| Term: | 10 years |
| Maryland Orphans' Court | |
| Method: | Partisan elections |
| Term: | 4 years |
Contents |
Appellate and trial court judges are selected in part by the Maryland Judicial Nominating Commission.[1]
Court of Appeals
Justices of the Maryland Court of Appeals are chosen via commission-selection, political appointment. Before a justice joins the court, the nomination must be confirmed by the Maryland Senate. [1]
If a vacancy on the court occurs, the same process is used to fill it.[1]
The chief justice of the court serves an indefinite term designated by the governor.[1]
In order to join the court, an individual must meet the following qualifications: [1]
- be an U.S. and state citizen;
- be registered to vote in state elections;
- be a state resident at least 5 yrs;
- be a circuit resident at least 6 mos;
- be at lest 30 yrs of age;
- be a state bar member;
- retire at the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Court of Special Appeals
All aspects of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals are the same as the Maryland Court of Appeals. [1]
Circuit Court
Justices of the Maryland Circuit Court are elected to at least one year terms, with subsequent terms of fifteen years by nonpartisan election. The names of all incumbent judges and their challengers appear without party affiliation on both the Republican and Democratic primary ballots. The candidate who receives the most votes in each primary, go on to compete in the general election. Ballots will not denote incumbents. [1]
If a vacancy on the court occurs, gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission is required. [1]
The chief justice of the court is chosen by seniority.[1]
All qualifications to join the Maryland Circuit Court are the same as the Maryland Court of Appeals and the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.[1]
District Court
Judges of the District Courts are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate the same as the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and Maryland Court of Appeals. Judges serve 10-year terms.[2]
See also
- State Supreme Court elections
- Campaign finance requirements for Maryland judicial elections
- Courts in Maryland
- Maryland judicial elections
External links
- American Judicature Society, Judicial selection in Maryland
- American Judicature Society, History of Reform Efforts: Maryland
- Judicial selection in Maryland
- The Daily Record "The tangled history of judicial elections", January 28, 2010
References
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