Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s highest court is the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. The court has four justices and one chief justice. The chief justice is selected according to the same procedures as their peers on the court. (Source: Rhode Island Constitution)

Judicial Selection

The governor selects Supreme Court of Rhode Island justices from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The governor’s nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state house and senate. An appointed justice serves a single life term with no mandatory retirement age. When a seat on the Rhode Island Supreme Court becomes open in the middle of a justice’s term, the governor selects a candidate from a list provided by a judicial nominating commission. The nominee must be confirmed by a majority of the state house and senate. An appointed justice serves a single life term with no mandatory retirement age.

State Constitution

Rhode Island has had two state constitutions adopted in 1842 and 1986. As of January 1, 2024, it had 13 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)