Structure of Michigan Judiciary
| Supreme Court | Court of Appeals |
Circuit Court |
|
| Number of judgeships | 7 |
28 |
210 |
| Number of districts/courts | --- |
4 |
57 |
| Geographic basis for selection | statewide |
district |
circuit |
| Method of selection (full term) | partisan nomination/ nonpartisan election* |
nonpartisan election* |
nonpartisan election* |
| Length of initial term |
|
6 yrs |
6 yrs |
| Method of retention | reelection |
reelection |
reelection |
| Length of subsequent terms | 8 yrs |
6 yrs |
6 yrs |
| Method of filling interim vacancies | gubernatorial appointment** |
gubernatorial appointment** |
gubernatorial appointment** |
| When interim judges stand for apointment/election | next general election; serve remainder of unexpired term |
next general election; serve remainder of unexpired term |
next general election; serve remainder of unexpired term |
| Selection of chief judge/justice | peer vote |
supreme court appointment |
supreme court appointment |
| Term of office for chief judge/justice | 2 yrs |
2 yrs |
2 yrs |
Qualifications
|
qualified elector; licensed to practice law in state; 5 yrs practice of law; less than 70 yrs of age |
qualified elector of district; licensed to practiced law in state; 5 yrs practice of law; less than 70 yrs of age |
qualified elector of circuit; licensed to practice law in state; 5 yrs practice of law; less than 70 yrs of age |
*Candidates for open seats on the supreme court or who want to challenge incumbent justices must be nominated at party conventions or by nominating petition. Incumbent justices may file an affidavit of candidacy, asking to be placed on the ballot. Candidates for other courts are nominated in nonpartisan primary elections or by nominating petition. Incumbent judges may file an affidavit of candidacy. Candidates appear without party affiliation on the general election ballot, with incumbent judges designated as such.
**The standing committee on judicial qualifications of the State Bar of Michigan interviews, evaluates, and rates candidates for appointment to judicial vacancies as requested by the governor and submits a confidential report to the governor.