Rhode Island
Rhode Island Supreme Court By The Numbers:
Justice
Former prosecutor
Former public defender
- 5 total seats
- 0 current vacancies
- 1 prosecutor
- 1 public defender
- 0 Justices have other indigent defense experience
- 0 civil rights lawyers
How Members of the Rhode Island Supreme Court are Selected:
Appointment, Legislative Confirmation
The governor appoints justices recommended by a judicial nominating commission, which consists of nine Rhode Island residents, at least four of whom are attorneys, appointed by the governor and various legislative leaders. Appointed justices must be approved by a majority of both the state house and state senate. Confirmed justices have lifetime tenure.
Selection method sources:
Ballotpedia, Judicial Election Methods By State; Brennan Center for Justice, Judicial Selection: An Interactive Map; State of Rhode Island, Judicial Nominating Commission