State Judicial Selection

Judicial Selection in the States

Through funding from the Open Society Institute, AJS offers a comprehensive web-based resource on judicial selection in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The site provides information for each state about how judges are selected and retained, past successful and unsuccessful reform efforts, structures and processes of nominating commissions and performance evaluation commissions, campaign conduct and financing rules, organizations active in the judicial reform arena, and the diversity of the bench. The site also features new information about the use of federal screening panels by each state’s U.S. Senators, as well as links to recent selection-related news articles and additional court-related resources for each state.  Click here to leave the AJS Web site and go to the Judicial Selection in the States site.

Judicial Selection in the States: How It Works, Why It Matters

AJS is pleased to offer a new guide for state legislators on the complex and critical issue of selecting state court judges.  This publication is a joint product of AJS and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System.
To download this document as a 12-page PDF, click here.  To order a hard copy, click here.

Judicial Selection in the States: Appellate and General Jurisdiction Courts

This chart provides basic information on the initial selection and subsequent retention of judges on state appellate courts and trial courts of general jurisdiction.

Click here to view the chart.

Judicial Merit Selection: Current Status

This set of tables provides a detailed description of merit selection provisions in states that utilize "merit selection" of judges, or appointment through nominating commission.

Click here to view the tables.

Judicial Selection in the United States: A Special Report

This report describes the historical evolution of judicial selection in the United States.

Click here to view the report.

Model Judicial Selection Provisions

Revised in 2008, these provisions offer exemplary language for establishing judicial nomination and evaluation processes of the highest quality and represent American Judicature Society policy as to the “best practices” in selecting, retaining, and evaluating judges. Click here to view the 34 page PDF document.

Merit Selection: The Best Way to Choose the Best Judges

This fact sheet on merit selection describes the process and its advantages over other methods of judicial selection.

Click here to view the fact sheet.

The Continuing Effort to Create Nonpartisan Judiciaries in the State Courts

By Robert W. Bergstrom. Click here.

Judicial Compensation and Judicial Selection

This report examines the relationship between judicial salaries and state methods of judicial selection. Click here to view the report.