Judicial selection in Michigan
| Judicial selection in Michigan | |
 | |
| Michigan Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 8 years |
| Michigan Court of Appeals | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Michigan Circuit Courts | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Michigan District Courts | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Michigan Probate Courts | |
| Method: | Non-partisan election of judges |
| Term: | 6 years |
Contents |
Supreme Court
Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court are elected to 8 year terms in a partisan nomination followed by a non-partisan election. Candidates who want to challenge incumbent justices or run for open seats on the supreme court must be nominated at party conventions or by a nominating petition. All incumbent justices can file an affidavit of candidacy, thus asking to be placed on the ballot. Candidates for any other courts are nominated in the nonpartisan primary elections or by a nominating petition. Incumbent judges can also file an affidavit of candidacy. All candidates appear without party affiliation on the general election ballot, with incumbent judges designated as such. [1]
If a vacancy on the court occurs, gubernatorial appointment is required. The standing committee on judicial qualifications of the State Bar of Michigan must interview, evaluate, and rate all candidates for appointment to judicial vacancies as is requested by the governor. The State Bar must then submit a confidential report to the governor. [1]
The chief justice of the court serves a two year term and is elected by the other justices.
In order to join the court, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- be a qualified elector;
- be licensed to practice law in state;
- have 5 yrs practice of law;
- be less than 70 yrs of age [1]
Court of Appeals
All aspects of the Michigan Court of Appeals are the same as the Michigan Supreme Court, excluding the chief justice being chosen by supreme court appointment, and the Michigan Court of Appeals term lasting six years, having been chosen in nonpartisan elections. [1]
Circuit Court
All aspects of the Michigan Circuit Courts are the same as the Michigan Court of Appeals. [1]
District Court
Judges of the Michigan District Courts participate in non-partisan elections and serve six year terms. [2]
The qualifications of serving on these courts are the same as the other in the state, except that a judge must be resident of the district the court represents. [3]
Probate Court
The 79 judges of the Michigan Probate Courts participate in non-partisan elections and serve six year terms. [2]
Qualifications to serve at this level are the same as those of the District Courts. [3]
See also
- News: Michigan panel recommends judicial campaign reform, May 30, 2012
- State Supreme Court elections
- Campaign finance requirements for Michigan judicial elections
- Courts in Michigan
- Michigan judicial elections
External links
- American Judicature Society, Judicial selection in Michigan
- American Judicature Society, History of Reform Efforts: Michigan
- Judicial selection in Michigan
References
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