Section 96.
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Selection and qualification of judges
The justices of the Supreme Court shall be chosen by the vote of a majority of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly for terms of twelve years. The judges of all other courts of record shall be chosen by the vote of a majority of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly for terms of eight years. During any vacancy which may exist while the General Assembly is not in session, the Governor may appoint a successor to serve until thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly. Upon election by the General Assembly, a new justice or judge shall begin service of a full term.
All justices of the Supreme Court and all judges of other courts of record shall be residents of the Commonwealth and shall, at least five years prior to their appointment or election, have been admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth. Each judge of a trial court of record shall during his term of office reside within the jurisdiction of one of the courts to which he was appointed or elected; provided, however, that where the boundary of such jurisdiction is changed by annexation or otherwise, no judge thereof shall thereby become disqualified from office or ineligible for reelection if, except for such annexation or change, he would otherwise be qualified.
This item is based on 4 items:
Circuit judges; election, qualifications; residence and term of office
For each circuit a judge shall be chosen by the joint vote of the two houses of the General Assembly for a term of eight years. He shall, when chosen, possess the same qualifications as judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals, and during his continuance in office shall reside in the circuit of which he is judge.
For each circuit a judge shall be chosen by the joint vote of the two houses of the General Assembly. He shall, when chosen, possess the same qualifications as judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals, and during his continuance in office shall reside in the circuit of which he is judge. At the first election under this Constitution, the General Assembly shall elect, as nearly as practicable, one-fourth of the entire number of judges for terms of two years, one-fourth for four years, one-fourth for six years, and the remaining fourth for eight years, respectively; and thereafter they shall be elected for terms of eight years.
For each circuit a judge shall be chosen by the joint vote of the two Houses of the General Assembly, who shall hold his office for a term of eight years, unless sooner removed in the manner prescribed by this Constitution. He shall when chosen, possess the same qualifications of judges of the supreme court of appeals, and during his continuance in office shall reside in the circuit of which he is judge.
For each circuit a judge shall be chosen in the manner hereinbefore provided, who shall hold his office for the term of eight years unless sooner removed in the manner prescribed by this Constitution. He shall, at the time of being chosen, be at least thirty years of age, and shall have resided in the State one year next preceding his election, and during his continuance in office shall reside in the circuit of which he is judge.
For each circuit a judge shall be elected by the voters thereof, who shall hold his office for the term of eight years, unless sooner removed in the manner prescribed by this constitution. He shall, at the time of his election, be at least thirty years of age, and during his continuance in office shall reside in the circuit of which he is judge.