Delaware
Delaware’s highest court is the Delaware Supreme Court. The court has four justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is nominated by the governor for a 12-year term and must be confirmed by the state senate. (Source: Delaware Constitution)
Judicial Selection
The governor nominates a candidate to the Delaware Supreme Court from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. Justices serve 12-year terms and may seek reappointment to additional terms in the same appointment process. The governor appoints interim candidates from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. An appointed justice serves a 12-year term. There are no term limits nor is there a mandatory retirement age.
State Constitution
Delaware has had four constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1897. As of January 1, 2024, it had 156 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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The Neglected State Constitutional Protections Against Extreme Punishments
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What Happens When State and Local Laws Conflict
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