Judicial Selection in the States: District of Columbia
Overview
GOP Senator to Step Down, Paving Way for D.C. Judicial Nominee
December 6, 2012 :: The Blog of Legal Times
Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) announced today that he'll be leaving Congress in early January to lead The Heritage Foundation, the prominent conservative think tank. A...
A set of tables that provide detailed information about selection...
Until Congress passed the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970, the federal courts in D.C. exercised both federal and local jurisdiction. The 1970 legislation established the court of appeals and the superior court to assume responsibility for local jurisdiction. Judges of these courts are appointed to fifteen-year terms by the president with senate confirmation. The president appoints judges from lists submitted by the judicial nomination commission. Judges who seek reappointment to office upon the completion of their terms are evaluated by the judicial disabilities and tenure commission. Judges who are rated "well qualified" by the commission are automatically reappointed. Judges found to be "qualified" may be appointed by the president for an additional term, subject to senate confirmation. If the president chooses not to reappoint a "qualified" judge, or if the commission finds a judge "unqualified," the judicial nomination commission compiles a new list of candidates.