Judicial Selection in the States: Rhode Island
Overview
There's a new judge on Rhode Island's highest court.
A set of tables that provide detailed information about selection...
The Rhode Island judiciary is composed of a supreme court, a superior court, and various trial courts of limited jurisdiction. Rhode Island has the distinction of being the most recent state to adopt merit selection by constitutional amendment. It did so in 1994.
Prior to 1994, supreme court justices were elected by the grand committee (both chambers of the general assembly acting in concert). Lower court judges were appointed by the governor with senate confirmation; according to an informal agreement, the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house alternated control over selecting appointees.
The move to merit selection was prompted by a series of scandals in the late 1980s and early 1990s involving supreme court justices. During this time, two justices resigned under threat of impeachment, and one was convicted of soliciting bribes and sent to prison. A broad-based coalition known as RIght Now! led the reform effort. Key members of the coalition included Common Cause of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Bar Association, and the Rhode Island League of Women Voters.