Judicial selection in Wyoming
| Judicial selection in Wyoming | |
 | |
| Wyoming Supreme Court | |
| Method: | Assisted appointment |
| Term: | 8 years |
| Wyoming District Courts | |
| Method: | Assisted appointment |
| Term: | 6 years |
| Wyoming Circuit Courts | |
| Method: | Assisted appointment |
| Term: | 4 years |
Judicial selection refers to the process used to select judges for courts. At the state level, methods of judicial selection vary substantially in the United States, and in some cases between different court types within a state. There are six primary types of judicial selection: partisan and nonpartisan elections, the Michigan method, assisted appointment, gubernatorial appointment, and legislative elections. To read more about how these selection methods are used across the country, click here.
This article covers how state court judges are selected in Wyoming, including:
As of April 2023, the selection of state court judges in Wyoming occurs primarily through assisted appointment.[1] Newly appointed judges serve short initial terms of at least one year, after which they must run in yes-no retention elections if they wish to remain on the court.[2]
Click here to notify us of changes to judicial selection methods in this state.
Wyoming Supreme Court
- See also: Wyoming Supreme Court
The five justices of the Wyoming Supreme Court are selected through the assisted appointment method. When a vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a replacement from a list of three names provided by a nominating commission. There are seven members on the commission. Three members must be lawyers appointed by the state bar and three must be non-lawyers appointed by the governor. The chief justice of the supreme court serves as chairman and only votes in the event of a tie. The governor must appoint a person from the commission's list.[3]
Newly appointed judges serve for at least one year, after which they must stand for retention in the next general election. If retained, a judge will finish the remainder of his or her predecessor's unexpired term. Subsequent terms last eight years.[4][5]
Qualifications
To serve on the supreme court, a judge must be:
- a U.S. citizen;
- a state resident for at least three years;
- at least nine years legal experience;
- no younger than 30 years old; and
- no older than 70.*[4]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the supreme court is selected by peer vote, serving in that capacity for four years.[4][3]
Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a replacement from a list of three names provided by a nominating commission. After the appointed justice has served at least one year, they must stand for retention in the next general election. If retained, a judge will finish the remainder of his or her predecessor's unexpired term. Subsequent terms last eight years.[3]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Assisted appointment occurs when the governor selects a nominee from a list provided by a nominating commission.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wyoming," accessed August 11, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Merit Selection: Current Status," accessed August 12, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wyoming," accessed August 11, 2021
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wyoming," archived January 13, 2012
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wyoming; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Wyoming Judicial Branch, "Municipal Courts," accessed August 12, 2021
- ↑ Wyoming Judicial Branch, "About the Chancery Court," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ Wyoming Legislature, "SF0104 - Wyoming chancery court," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "History of Reform Efforts: Wyoming," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ U.S. Courts, "FAQ: Federal Judges," accessed March 26, 2015
- ↑ American Bar Association, "Judicial Selection: The Process of Choosing Judges," accessed August 10, 2021
Federal courts:
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Wyoming • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Wyoming
State courts:
Wyoming Supreme Court • Wyoming District Courts • Wyoming Circuit Courts • Wyoming Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wyoming • Wyoming judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wyoming
