California
California’s highest court is the Supreme Court of California. The court has six associate justices and one chief justice, who is appointed under the same procedures as the associate justices. (Source: California Judicial Branch)
Judicial Selection
The governor nominates candidates to the Supreme Court of California who must be confirmed by a majority of the commission on judicial appointments. The commission consists of the chief justice, the state attorney general, and the senior presiding justice of the state’s courts of appeal. Once confirmed, the nominee stands in an unopposed yes/no retention vote at the time of California’s next general election. Justices serve 12-year terms and may seek additional terms through an unopposed yes/no retention vote. There are no term limits, and there is no mandatory retirement age.
State Constitution
California has had two constitutions adopted in 1849 and 1879. As of January 1, 2024, it had 541 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in March
Issues on the dockets include mid-decade redistricting, ghost guns, a challenge to a DOJ request for voter data, gender-affirming care for minors, and SpaceX rocket launches.
State Law Gives Litigators Extra Tools to Counter Originalism
Unique features of state courts allow lawyers to go beyond arguments available in federal courts.
The Untold Story of 150 Years of Women in State Judiciaries
A focus on the U.S. Constitution and federal judges has obscured a longer and more complex history of women serving on state benches — and how state constitutions mattered in their rise.
What We're Watching in the 2026 Elections
State Court Report’s new Election 2026 hub provides coverage of major legal and judicial developments shaping this election cycle.
What’s Next for the Next Generation of Environmental Rights Cases?
Young people are building on lessons learned in recent litigation, using state constitutions and laws to develop and enforce environmental protections.
How Courts Oversee Ballot Initiatives
State courts — and to some degree federal courts — play a significant role in every stage of the direct democracy process.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in February
Issues on the dockets include affirmative action, partisan gerrymandering, unaffordable bail, and juryless agency trials.
When Can States Prosecute Federal Agents?
Federal precedent permits such prosecutions in limited circumstances, but the legal bar remains high.