Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ highest court is called the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The court has six justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is chosen according to the same procedures as the associate justices. (Source: Supreme Judicial Court Justices)
Judicial Selection
The governor nominates candidates to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The governor receives a list of candidates from a judicial nominating commission but is not required to select a candidate from the list. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority vote of the governor’s council, consisting of elected district representatives and the lieutenant governor. An appointed justice serves a single term until mandatory retirement at age 70. To fill an interim vacancy, the governor receives a list of candidates from the judicial nominating commission but is not required to select a candidate from the list. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority vote of the governor’s council. An appointed justice serves a single term until mandatory retirement at age 70.
State Constitution
Massachusetts’ first and only constitution was adopted in 1780. As of January 1, 2024, it had 121 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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Massachusetts’s High Court Upholds Novel Local Restriction on Tobacco Purchases
The ruling could provide a model for cities and towns to enact rules that differ from state law — in tobacco and alcohol purchasing, and even gun sales — without running afoul of preemption principles.
A Primer on Advocating Independent State Constitutional Remedies
State supreme courts shouldn’t reflexively embrace federal approaches to remedying violations of constitutional rights.
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 Breaks New Ground in Limiting Youth Punishments
Massachusetts Looks to International Sources to Inform ‘Evolving Standards of Decency’
Massachusetts Rejects Harmful Federal Standard for Evaluating Whether Punishment Is Unconstitutional
Massachusetts Reminds Youth Defense Attorneys to Consider State Constitutions
Knife Laws on the Chopping Block