Supreme Court of Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Supreme Court of Pennsylvania |
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| Established | May 22, 1722 (1684 as Provincial Court) |
| Country | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Location | Harrisburg Pittsburgh Philadelphia |
| Composition method | partisan election with "Yes/No" retention vote at end-of-term |
| Authorized by | Constitution of Pennsylvania |
| Judge term length | 10 years |
| Number of positions | 7 |
| Chief Justice | |
| Currently | Thomas G. Saylor |
| Since | January 6, 2015 |
| Lead position ends | December 21, 2021 |
| Jurist term ends | December 21, 2021 |
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the most important court in the state of Pennsylvania. It is part of Pennsylvania's court system. Some people believe it is the oldest court of its kind in the United States.
This court started way back in 1684 as the Provincial Court. In 1722, it officially became the Supreme Court. This happened when it gained independence from the control of the royal governor. Today, this court usually chooses which cases it wants to hear. This means the court has a big say in how Pennsylvania's laws are understood and used.
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History of the Court
The first rules for Pennsylvania were written by William Penn. These rules set up a Provincial Court. This court was under the control of the British governors.
However, the General Assembly, which was like a state legislature, wanted different parts of the government to be separate. In 1701, they asked for a third branch of government. In 1722, the British governor needed money from the House. The House leaders agreed to raise taxes. In return, they asked for an independent Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is more than 100 years older than the Supreme Court of the United States. It was the first independent Supreme Court in the U.S. to say that it could declare laws unconstitutional. This means it could decide if a law made by elected lawmakers went against the Pennsylvania Constitution.
How the Court Works
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania holds its meetings in three different cities. These cities are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg.
Justices and Their Terms
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has seven justices. Each justice is elected to serve for ten years. People running for a justice position can be part of a political party.
The justice who has served the longest on the court automatically becomes the Chief Justice. Justices must leave the Supreme Court when they turn 75. However, they can still work part-time on lower courts until they are 78.
Choosing and Keeping Justices
After a justice's ten-year term ends, people vote on whether to keep them. This is a simple "yes" or "no" vote across the state. If the justice gets enough "yes" votes, they serve another ten-year term.
If a justice is not kept, the governor chooses a temporary replacement. This choice must be approved by the State Senate. Then, a special election is held to pick a new justice. As of 2005, only one justice has not been kept in office.
One Supreme Court Justice, Rolf Larsen, was removed from office. This happened in 1994. The State House of Representatives accused him of several acts of misconduct. The State Senate voted on these accusations. One charge received enough votes to remove him.
Before 1968, Supreme Court justices were elected for 21-year terms. This was the longest term for any elected office in the United States at that time.
Current Justices
| Name | Born | Elected | Party when first elected | Retained | Year of next retention election | Reaches age 75 | Prior positions and education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas G. Saylor Chief Justice |
December 14, 1946 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania | 1997 | Republican | 2007, 2017 | None – final term | December 14, 2021 | Justice, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (1997-2015); Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1993–1997); private practice (1987–1993); First Deputy Attorney General, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1983–1987); Director, Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection (1982–1983); First Assistant District Attorney, Somerset County (1973–1976); private practice (1972–1982); J.D., Columbia Law School (1972); B.A., University of Virginia (1969). |
| Max Baer | December 24, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2003 | Democratic | 2013 | None – final term | December 24, 2022 | Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (1989–2003); private practice (1980–1989); Deputy Attorney General, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1975–1979); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1975); B.A., University of Pittsburgh (1971). |
| Debra Todd | October 15, 1957 in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania | 2007 | Democratic | 2017 | 2027 | October 15, 2032 | Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (2000–2007); private practice (1982–1999); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1982); B.A., Chatham College (1979). |
| Christine Donohue | December 24, 1952 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania | 2015 | Democratic | First term | 2025 | December 24, 2027 | Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (2008–2015); private practice, (1980–2007); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1980); B.A., East Stroudsburg University (1974). |
| Kevin Dougherty | May 19, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 2015 | Democratic | First term | 2025 | May 19, 2037 | Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2001–2016); private practice, (1995–2001); Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia County (1990–1995); J.D., Antioch School of Law (1987); B.A., Temple University (1985). |
| David Wecht | May 20, 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland | 2015 | Democratic | First term | 2025 | May 20, 2037 | Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (2012–2015); Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (2003–2012); Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court, Allegheny County; law clerk, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge George MacKinnon; J.D., Yale Law School (1987); B.A., Yale University (1984). |
| Sallie Updyke Mundy | June 29, 1962 in Elmira, New York | 2017 | Republican | First term | 2027 | June 29, 2037 | Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (2010–2016); private practice (1988–2009); Volunteer Public Defender, Public Defender's Office of Tioga County; law clerk, Tioga County Court of Common Pleas (1987–1988); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1987); B.A., Washington and Jefferson College (1984). |
