Section 16. Qualifications and Terms of Justices and Judges

Qualifications and Terms of Justices and Judges

(A) Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of the Court of Appeals shall have been licensed attorneys of this state for at least eight years immediately preceding the date of assuming office. They shall serve eight-year terms.

(B) Circuit Judges shall have been licensed attorneys of this state for at least six years immediately preceding the date of assuming office. They shall serve six-year terms.

(C) District Judges shall have been licensed attorneys of this state for at least four years immediately preceding the date of assuming office. They shall serve four-year terms.

(D) All Justices and Judges shall be qualified electors within the geographical area from which they are chosen, and Circuit and District Judges shall reside within that geographical area at the time of election and during their period of service. A geographical area may include any county contiguous to the county to be served when there are no qualified candidates available in the county to be served.

(E) The General Assembly shall by law determine the amount and method of payment of expenses of Justices and Judges. Such expenses may be increased, but not diminished, during the term for which such Justices or Judges are selected or elected.

(F) Circuit, District, and Appellate Court Judges and Justices shall not be allowed any fees or perquisites of office, nor hold any other office of trust or profit under this state or the United States, except as authorized by law.