Rhode Island

Rhode Island Supreme Court
Hybrid
5 Justices
Life appointment
State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission Composition & Terms of Judicial Nominating Commission Judicial Selection Process Legal Authority
    • 9 members:

    • 5 members appointed by the Governor, 1 from each of the following lists
      • At least 3 lawyers submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
      • At least 3 lawyers or non-lawyers submitted by the President of the Senate
      • 4 non-lawyers submitted jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate
      • At least 3 non-lawyers submitted by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
      • At least 3 non-lawyers submitted by the Minority Leader of the Senate
    • 4 members appointed by the Governor
      • 3 lawyers, 1 non-lawyer

Terms: 4 years (varied)

 General

  • Commission submits a list of at least three but no more than five persons from which the Governor must choose one.
  • The Governor’s choice is subject to the separate advice and consent of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Interim Vacancies

  • The Governor fills vacancies on the Rhode Island Supreme Court by nominating, on the basis of merit, a person from a list submitted by an independent non-partisan judicial nominating commission, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and by and with the separate advice and consent of the house of representatives,  appoints said person as a justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Percentage of Lawyers on the Nominating Commission

Who Selects the Nominating Commissioners?

    Docket Watch

  • Gay Marriage Update: New England, Iowa, Wisconsin, and California

    Litigation regarding gay marriage and other gay rights issues continues throughout the several states, and it is increasingly likely that the Supreme Court of the United States will rule on whether the United States Constitution guarantees a right to gay marriage. This article, a synopsis of the status of gay marriage in various states, analyzes recent court decisions in hopes of illuminating the relevant legal arguments. This article also highlights the most well-organized efforts and key players in the campaigns to legalize gay marriage at the state level.

  • Judicial Election

    Judges are elected by popular vote.

  • Democratic Appointment

    Judges are appointed directly by a democratic body, or appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of some democratic body.