Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, California’s highest court is more obscure and rarely issues polarizing opinions.
In California, appellate and Supreme Court justices are selected through a gubernatorial appointment, confirmation and voter approval process. Superior Court or local judges can either be appointed or directly elected to the bench by voters.elected for 12-year termsIf a majority of voters say “yes” on a justice, they get a 12-year term. If a majority say “no” on any of the justices, the governor must nominate a replacement.
“By its very place in the judicial hierarchy, is being asked to answer the hard questions or find solutions to the really hard issues,” said Beth Jay, former principal attorney to three chief justices between 1987 and 2015. Since 2011, 85% of the court’s decisions have been unanimous, according to data from the California Constitution Center. Before her tenure, 74% of the court’s cases were unanimous underfrom 1996 to 2011. George was appointed by Republican Gov. Pete Wilson.