Connecticut Supreme Court
From Judgepedia
The Connecticut Supreme Court is the direct descendant of the Superior Court of Errors, which was established in 1784--one year before Connecticut was granted its statehood. From its inception, the Superior Court of Errors became the highest appellate tribunal and enjoyed powers previously held by the General Assembly, such as the prerogative to review lower court cases based on writs of error. However, it wasn't until 1818, when Connecticut's first constitution was adopted, that three separate and distinct branches of government were created. The judicial branch, now an official entity, consisted of a Supreme Court of Errors, a Superior Court, and inferior courts that would be determined based upon legislative decree. [1]
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Before Statehood
Connecticut's judicial history is one of the most mature in the nation. The first judicial procedures probably began in the spring of 1636, thanks to a commission granted to eight Connecticut leaders by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay.
Two years later, this same General Court (later recognized as the General Assembly) would establish the Particular Court (sometimes referred to as the Quartet Court, as it was required to meet four times per annum). At this point in Connecticut history, the General Court controlled the administration of justice, while the Particular Court the chief judicial body until 1662 when the colonies of New Haven and Connecticut merged together under an official Charter from Charles II.
In 1668, with the Charter as colony's governing document, the Particular Courts were abolished and two new tiers of courts were established in its place: the Court of Assistants (in 1665) and county courts (1668).
The Appellate Court system would last until 1711. Having been abolished, its powers of original and appellate jurisdiction were transfered to the newly created Superior Court. The Superior Court established in that year is considered the forerunner to the sole trial court of general jurisdiction in existence today.
Statehood and Beyond
In 1855, the county courts--having been established in 1665 under Charles II's Charter--were abolished. Their powers were transfered to, and subsequently strengthened, the Superior Courts. However, with the county courts now gone, the Superior Court case-load became overbearing; to meet this growing judicial burden, the General Assembly created a collection of Courts of Common Pleas.
The 20th Century Connecticut Court
In 1921, the first of Connecticut's trial courts was established, and all justices of the peace enjoyed a limited amount of criminal jurisdiction. Eighteen years later, a trial justice system would be created, and the powers formerly held by all justices of the peace (i.e. limited criminal jurisdiction), were transferred to "specially designed trial justices " and in 1942, a state-wide Juvenile Court was created.[2]
Terms
Over each period of two years, the Connecticut Supreme Court meets eight times in sessions lasting approximately two weeks. This is subject to change based on circumstances.
Current Justices
- Chase Rogers
- Flemming Norcott Jr
- Joette Katz
- Richard Palmer
- Christine Vertefeuille, who faces a retention election in 2008.
- Peter Zarella
- Barry Schaller
- William Sullivan
Removal From Office
Connecticut judges may be removed in one of three ways:
- Judges may impeached by the house of representatives and removed by two thirds of the senate.
- Judges may be removed by the governor on the address of two thirds of each house of the general assembly.
- The Connecticut Judicial Review Council investigates complaints of judicial misconduct. If the investigation indicates that there is probable cause that the judge is guilty of misconduct, the council conducts a hearing and makes a recommendation to the supreme court. The supreme court may suspend or remove the judge."[3],[4]
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