New Jersey
New Jersey’s highest court is the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court has six associate justices and a chief justice, who is appointed by the governor. (Source: New Jersey Constitution)
Judicial Selection
Justices on the New Jersey Supreme Court are nominated by the governor. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. An appointed justice serves a seven-year term and may stand for reappointment for a second term that runs until mandatory retirement at age 70. To fill an interim vacancy, the governor nominates a candidate who must be confirmed by a majority of the state senate. An appointed justice serves a seven-year term and may stand for reappointment to a second term until mandatory retirement.
State Constitution
New Jersey has had three state constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1947. As of January 1, 2024, it had 77 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
Filters
When Do State Courts Depart from Federal Precedents?
State courts have varying and sometimes unclear rules for interpreting their constitutions independently.
Washington Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds the State’s Voting Rights Act
The high court forcefully rejected a constitutional challenge to state law protections against discrimination in local elections.
School Funding Case Shows Challenges of Upholding Certain Rights in Court
An ideological shift on the North Carolina Supreme Court could upend a landmark decision in a long-running battle for adequate public education spending under the state’s constitution.
Getting Racial Bias Off the Jury
Washington innovates on peremptory strikes.
NC Supreme Court Upholds Law Barring People on Probation and Parole from Voting
While state courts have been skeptical of judicial remedies, momentum for legislative responses is growing.