Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court
Hybrid
5 Justices
6 year terms
State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission Composition & Terms of Judicial Nominating Commission Judicial Selection Process Legal Authority
      • 11 members:
    • 3 attorneys admitted to practice before the Supreme Court appointed by attorneys of the Vermont state bar
    • 2 non-lawyers appointed by the Governor
    • 3 members of the Senate elected by the Senate
      • Maximum of 1 lawyer
    • 3 members of the House of Representatives elected by the House of Representatives
      • Maximum of 1 lawyer

Terms: 2 years (non-staggered)

 General

  • Commission submits a list of nominees from which the Governor must choose one.
  • The Governor’s choice is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
  • At the end of a Justice’s term, if the Justice wishes to remain in office for another term, the Justice must notify the General Assembly, which can deny the Justice a subsequent term by majority vote.

Interim Vacancies

  • The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall fill a vacancy in the office of the Chief justice of the State, associate justice of the Supreme Court or judge of any other court, except the office of Assistant Judge and of Judge of Probate, from a list of nominees presented by a judicial nominating body established by the General Assembly having authority to apply reasonable standards of selection.

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.