Rhode Island Supreme Court
From Judgepedia
| Rhode Island Supreme Court |
|---|
|
| Sitting justices |
| Maureen McKenna Goldberg Francis Flaherty Paul Suttell William Robinson Vacancy |
| Former justices |
| Rhode Island on Judgepedia |
Contents |
Jurisdiction
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over legal and constitutional questions. Additionally, the court must regulate admission to the state Bar, and determines disciplinary issues as well. [1]
The court's justices
The court consists of a Chief Justice and four Justices. While in other courts, justices are required to retire at a mandated age, the same is not true for the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court hold office for life.
Selection of justices
Selection of Supreme Court justices begins with the Judicial Nominating Commission. The Commission submits three to five names to the Governor of Rhode Island, and upon receiving the names, the Governor selects and appoints one. The appointed justice must then be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. [1]
Current justices
There is a vacancy on the current Rhode Island Supreme Court. The Judicial Nominating Commission is in the process of interviewing applicants in order to make a recommendation to the Governor. [2]
| Name | Appointed | Term expires | Appointed by | Governor's Political affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Justice: Paul Suttell | 2003 | Life term | Governor Carcieri | Republican |
| Francis Flaherty | 2003 | Life term | Governor Carcieri | Republican |
| Maureen McKenna Goldberg | 1997 | Life term | Governor Almond | Republican |
| William Robinson | 2004 | Life term | Governor Carcieri | Republican |
| Vacant | - | - | - | - |
Chief justice
Paul Suttell is the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He was nominated to this position by Governor Carcieri, approved by the Senate, and sworn in on July 16, 2009. [3]
History of the court
In 1747, the Rhode Island General Assembly authorized the creation of the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Gaol Delivery, consisting of one Chief Justice and four Associates, all serving one year terms. Most of the judges during the 18th century were laymen, merchants or farmers and did not possess formal legal training, and therefore the court did not explicitly follow British Common Law. Parties, however, could still appeal to the British monarch, English courts or General Assembly.[4] In 1747, the Assembly appointed the first Chief Justice, Gideon Cowell, who was not a lawyer and the second, Joshua Babcock, a Yale educated physician. Stephen Hopkins served as Chief Justice from 1747 to 1755 and was the first trained lawyer to serve in this position.[5] In 1798, the Assembly renamed the Superior Court "The Supreme Judicial Court," and in 1843, "The Supreme Court."
Prominent justices
- Peleg Arnold, Delegate to the Continental Congress
- Stephen Hopkins, Signatory of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Rhode Island
- David Howell (jurist), Delegate to the Continental Congress, federalist leader, U.S. District Judge
- William West, 1787-1789, American Revolution general, Deputy Governor, anti-federalist rebellion leader
External links
- Rhode Island Supreme Court Official Site
- Irving Berdine Richman, Rhode Island: A Study in Separatism, (Houghton, Mifflic & Co, Rhode Island: 1907), 191.[1]
- Thomas Durfee, Gleanings from the Judicial History of Rhode Island, (Providence: Sidney S. Rider, 1883), p. 164
- Amasa M. Eaton, The Development of the Judicial System in Rhode Island, Yale Law Journal14 (Jan. 1905), 148-170.
- John T. Farrell, The Early History of Rhode Island’s Court System, Rhode Island History 9 (July 1950), 65-71; 9 (Oct. 1950), 103-117; 10 (Jan. 1951), 14-25
- Link to article describing various RI Court primary sources
- Gail I. Winson, "Researching the Laws of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: From Lively Experiment1to Statehoodby," (Roger Williams School of Law)Article link.
- Rhode Island Supreme Court Selection and Responsibilities of Justices
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island Supreme Court
- Constitution of Rhode Island
References
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The Rhode Island Project on Judgepedia
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