Court Opinions

State Laws

US Code

US Constitution

Additional judges - 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 544

Legal Research Home > Pennsylvania Statutes

     § 544.  Additional judges.
        (a)  Constitution.--In order to increase the number of
     Superior Court judges so that the court shall hereafter be
     composed of 15 judges, pursuant to sections 3 and 13 of Article
     V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the appointment of eight
     additional judges to the court is hereby provided for. These
     additional judges shall possess the qualifications otherwise
     required by law for judges of the Superior Court and shall be
     initially appointed as provided in this section.
        (b)  Initial appointments.--The Governor, with the advice and
     consent of two-thirds of the members elected to the Senate,
     shall appoint eight additional judges for initial terms as
     follows:
            (1)  Two judges shall be appointed for terms ending the
        first Monday of January next following the third municipal
        election more than ten months after the additional judges are
        selected. These appointees shall be of different political
        parties.
            (2)  Two judges shall be appointed for terms ending the
        first Monday of January next following the second municipal
        election more than ten months after the additional judges are
        selected. These appointees shall be of different political
        parties.
            (3)  Four judges shall be appointed for terms ending the
        first Monday of January next following the first municipal
        election more than ten months after the additional judges are
        selected. Of these appointees, no more than two shall be of
        the same political party.
        (c)  Vacancies.--Vacancies caused by the death, retirement,
     resignation or removal of a judge appointed under this section
     shall be filled in the manner and for the term prescribed by
     section 13 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
        (d)  Retention declarations.--No judge appointed pursuant to
     this section shall, prior to the expiration of his appointive
     term, file a declaration of candidacy for retention, as provided
     in section 15 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
        (e)  Elections.--Elections for judges of the court shall be
     held at the times and in the manner prescribed by section 13 of
     Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and, to the extent
     not inconsistent therewith, pursuant to the election laws of
     this Commonwealth applicable to the election of judges of the
     Superior Court.
        (f)  Terms of judges.--Except as provided in this section for
     the initial appointive terms for additional judges of the
     Superior Court, the terms of office of judges of the Superior
     Court shall be as otherwise provided by law.
     (June 11, 1980, P.L.213, No.63, eff. imd.)

        1980 Amendment.  Act 63 added section 544.

Last modified: November 27, 2007