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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Hawaii’s Midwives Challenge Law Criminalizing Traditional Birthing Practices
Many Native Hawaiians rely on lay midwives to provide culturally sensitive reproductive health care.
Judicial Federalism and the Status of State Constitutions
Transcript of panel from Symposium: The Promise and Limits of State Constitutions
Unpacking the Legal Challenges to Trump’s Ballot Eligibility
The vast majority of cases aiming to remove Trump from the ballot have been dismissed, but without deciding whether he’s eligible to hold the presidency.
Massachusetts Reminds Youth Defense Attorneys to Consider State Constitutions
By holding that life without parole sentences are unconstitutional for anyone under 21, the Massachusetts high court goes far above the federal floor.
Why Have States Diverged on Trump’s Ballot Eligibility?
As the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 ballot, it’s worth exploring how state law has impacted outcomes in different states.
Judicial Ethics and Discipline in the States
Before the U.S. Supreme Court adopted of a code of conduct last month, it was the only court in the country without one.
Governor DeSantis vs. Prosecutorial Discretion
Florida is one of several places where prosecutors are being targeted because of their charging decisions.
Kansas Online Court System Faces Long Recovery Time After Cyberattack
The outage underscores the hurdles the public faces accessing court information across the country.