State of Wyoming

Methods of Judicial Selection: Wyoming

Selection of Judges

Number of Judgeships
Supreme Court:	5
District Court:	22

Number of Districts/Circuits
Supreme Court:	--
District Court:	9

Geographic Basis for Selection
Supreme Court:	statewide
District Court:	district

Method of Selection (full term)
Supreme Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission
District Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission

Length of Term
Supreme Court:	at least one year
District Court:	at least 1 yr

Method of Retention
Supreme Court:	retention election
District Court:	retention election

Length of Subsequent Terms
Supreme Court:	8 yrs
District Court:	6 yrs

Method of Filling Interim Vacancies
Supreme Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission
District Court:	gubernatorial appointment from nominating commission

When Interim Judges Stand for Election/Appointment
Supreme Court:	next general election 1 yr after appointment; if retained, serve remainder of unexpired term
District Court:	next general election 1 yr after appointment; if retained, serve remainder of unexpired term

Selection of Chief Judge/Justice
Supreme Court:	peer vote
District Court:	--

Term of Office for Chief Judge/Justice
Supreme Court:	4 yrs
District Court:	--

Qualifications
Supreme Court:	U.S. citizen; state resident 3 yrs; 9 yrs legal experience; minimum age of 30; mandatory retirement at 70
District Court:	U.S. citizen; state resident 2 yrs; minimum age of 28; mandatory retirement at 70

Selection and retention methods and term lengths are prescribed by Article 5 of the Wyoming Constitution.