How Are State Judges Selected?
Thirty-eight states use elections as part of their system for choosing high court judges.
Cases, Courts, and Constitutions Across the 50 States
The Right to Counsel in an Age of Case-Specific and Systemic Inadequacies
State courts and constitutions can offer meaningful solutions to federal gaps in the right to counsel.
The Rhode Island Constitution: Royal Charter and a Modern Constitutional Convention
The Ocean State’s constitution is notable for protection of its surrounding waters; an update to the document in the 1980s included more than 40 amendments.
A Conversation with New York Judge Wavny Toussaint
The first Trinidadian-American judge elected in New York spoke about mentorship, judicial service, and the impact courts have on everyday New Yorkers.
North Carolina Supreme Court Throws Out Decades-Old Right-to-Education Case
The decision, which comes after a 2022 change in the composition of the court and reverses the court’s earlier holding in the same case, rests on dubious grounds.
Commentary
The Hawaii Constitution: Rooted in Culture and ‘Āina (Land)
With extensive protections for the environment, the Hawaii Constitution is a model for other states’ green amendments and public trust provisions.
Can States Ban Federal Officers from Wearing Masks?
The answer likely boils down to whether courts believe masking is necessary for the federal government to do its job.