Virginia
Virginia’s highest court is the Supreme Court of Virginia. The court has six justices and one chief justice, who is chosen by a majority of the members of the court. (Source: Virginia Constitution)
Judicial Selection
The legislature votes to appoint justices to 12-year terms on the Supreme Court of Virginia. Justices may stand for reappointment by the legislature to additional terms in the same appointment process. When a seat opens in the middle of a justice’s term, the legislature votes to appoint a judicial candidate to fill the vacancy. The appointed justice serves a 12-year term. If the legislature is not in session, the governor may appoint a candidate to serve until the next legislative session. There are no term limits. The mandatory retirement age is 73.
State Constitution
Virginia has had six state constitutions adopted between 1776 and 1970. As of January 1, 2024, it had 53 amendments. (Source: John Dinan, 2024)
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State Constitutional Protections for Transgender People After Skrmetti
A review of recent litigation in state courts provides hints about the future of trans rights.
Federal Workers Have Scant Job Protection in the Constitution
In contrast, some state constitutions protect explicitly both the civil service and public employee unions.
Book Excerpt: Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction, by Mary Ziegler
The fetal personhood movement already succeeded in eliminating what many viewed as a fundamental right. Its continued effects could be even further-reaching.
Virginia Courts Are Revisiting How to Interpret the State Constitution
A recent case announcing greater state protection of religious liberties than under federal law marked a turning point in Virginia jurisprudence.
The Right to Petition in State Constitutions, Explained
Some states protect citizens’ right to make requests of or complaints against the government more broadly than the federal Constitution.
The Active Environmental Agendas of State Attorneys General
The U.S. Supreme Court this week paved the way for Democratic attorneys general to proceed with suits against fossil fuel companies under state law.
Executive Orders and Threatened Cuts Challenge Public Education and the Courts
Education rights expert Joshua Weishart discusses the effects of Trump’s education policy changes and how states are pushing back.
State Constitutional Resources We Love
For those who want to know more about state constitutions, a compilation of tools including case databases, interactive maps, and more.