How are new judges chosen?
Under the Maryland Constitution, the Maryland governor fills a new judgeship or other vacancy in judicial office with an individual having certain basic qualifications: Must be a U.S. and Maryland citizen Must be registered to vote in state elections at the time of appointment Must be a Maryland resident for at least five years Resident, for at least six months next preceding appointment, in the geographic area where the vacancy exists Must be age 30 or older at the time of appointment Must be a member of the Maryland State Bar The Constitution also speaks generally of a second category of qualifications, by providing that those selected for judgeships shall be lawyers most distinguished for integrity, wisdom, and sound legal knowledge. Although the Constitution sets forth these basic qualifications, it provides the Governor with limited guidance in making judicial appointments. In 1970, an executive order created the Judicial Nominating Commissions to assist in the judicial selection
