Massachusetts

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Judicial Selection Method: Hybrid
7 Justices
Appointment until age 70

State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission	Composition of Judicial Selection Commission*	Judicial Selection Process	Source of Commission’s Authority
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Judicial Nominating Commission	21 members: All appointed by the Governor Terms: 1 year (non-staggered)	General Commission submits a list of at least three but no more than six applicants to the Governor, from which the Governor may choose one. The Governor, with advice and consent of the Governor’s Council, appoints Justices to the Court. Interim Vacancies The Commission shall identify judicial vacancies and post openings on the Commission’s website. The Commission will ensure that the applicant pool from which their selections are made reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth. The Commission votes on applicants and submits no fewer than three and no more than six names to the governor for each vacancy.	Massachusetts CONST. part II, ch. I art. 9 Massachusetts CONST. part II, ch. III, art. 1 Exec. Order No. 558

State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission

Composition of Judicial Selection Commission*

Judicial Selection Process

Source of Commission’s Authority

21 members:

Terms: 1 year (non-staggered)

General

Commission submits a list of at least three but no more than six applicants to the Governor, from which the Governor may choose one.
The Governor, with advice and consent of the Governor’s Council, appoints Justices to the Court.

Interim Vacancies

The Commission shall identify judicial vacancies and post openings on the Commission’s website. The Commission will ensure that the applicant pool from which their selections are made reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth. The Commission votes on applicants and submits no fewer than three and no more than six names to the governor for each vacancy.

* Commission established pursuant to Executive Order