Judicial selection in Massachusetts
| Judicial selection in Massachusetts | |
 | |
| Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | |
| Method: | Gubernatorial appointment with approval of Governor's Council |
| Term: | Until age 70 |
| Massachusetts Appeals Court | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt. with approval of Governor's Council |
| Term: | Until age 70 |
| Massachusetts Superior Courts | |
| Method: | Comm. select., Gov. appt. with approval of Governor's Council |
| Term: | Until age 70 |
Contents |
Supreme Judicial Court
Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court are elected to terms lasting until 70 years of age in a gubernatorial appointment with the approval of the governor's council. It is the job of the nominating commission to screen applicants for the supreme judicial court at the governor's sole discretion. The governor's council, which is also referred to as the executive council, is a body that is constitutionally authorized and votes upon judicial appointments. The council consists of eight members who are elected biennially in each of the eight council districts. [1]
If a vacancy on the court occurs, gubernatorial appointment with the governor's council approval is required.[1]
The chief justice of the court serves a term up until the ago of 70 and is elected by gubernatorial appointment with the governor's council approval.[1]
In order to join the court, an individual must meet the following qualifications: [1]
- retire at the mandatory retirement age of 70
Appeals Court
All aspects of the Massachusetts Appeals Court are the same as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, excluding the necessary qualifications, which are the following:[1]
- be an U.S. citizen;
- be a state resident;
- be a state bar member in good standing;
- have 13 yrs legal experience and training**;
- retire at the mandatory retirement age of 70
These listed qualifications are prescribed in Executive Order 500. [1]
Superior Courts
All trial court judges of any department, must meet the same qualifications as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The chief justice of each trial court department is selected by the chief justice of the trial court from the sitting justices within that department, and serves a five year term. Although not required by the Massachusetts constitution, governors have chosen to impose minimum requirements for consideration for appointment.
The qualifications are as follows:
- be an U.S. citizen;
- be a state resident;
- be a state bar member in good standing;
- have 10 yrs legal experience and training;
- retire at the mandatory retirement age of 70.
These listed qualifications are prescribed in Executive Order 500.[1]
See also
- State Supreme Court elections
- Campaign finance requirements for Massachusetts judicial elections
- Courts in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts judicial elections
External links
- American Judicature Society, Judicial selection in Massachusetts
- Executive Council
- American Judicature Society, History of Reform Efforts: Massachusetts
- Judicial selection in Massachusetts
References
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