Judicial selection in Vermont

Judicial selection in Vermont
Vermont Supreme Court
Method:	Comm. select., Gov. appt. with Senate confirmation
Term:	6 years
Vermont Superior Court
Method:	Comm. select., Gov. appt. with Senate confirmation
Term:	6 years
Vermont District Courts
Method:	Comm. select., Gov. appt. with Senate confirmation
Term:	6 years
Vermont Probate Court
Method:	Partisan elections
Term:	4 years

Judicial selection in Vermont provides that judges are chosen through a commission process. Once appointed, they must stand for retention at the end of a term.

Supreme Court

Justices of the Vermont Supreme Court are appointed by the governor, after the Vermont Judicial Nominating Commission recommends candidates. All appointments are confirmed by the Vermont Senate. They serve six year terms that end with a retention election in the general assembly.

Midterm vacancies are appointed in the same way, but stand for retention at the end of the unexpired term.

The Chief Justice of the court serves a six year term and is chosen by the governor, through the nominating commission, and confirmed by the Vermont Senate.

In order to serve on the court, one must meet these qualifications:

• practice law or serve as a judge in the state for more than five of the last ten years;
• be under 70 years of age.

Superior Court

Most aspects of judicial selection of the judges on the Vermont Superior Courts is the same as that of the Vermont Supreme Court, with the exception of the rules regarding the chief judge.

The chief judge of the court is appointed by the Vermont Supreme Court and serves a four year term.

District Courts

Everything about judicial selection of judges on the Vermont District Courts is the same as the Vermont Superior Courts.

See also

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

External links

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