Judge, Indiana Supreme Court
State
CORE PURPOSE:
Establish Justice
Quick Facts
Holder(s):
Loretta H. Rush (Chief), Mark S. Massa, Geoffrey G. Slaughter, Christopher M. Goff, Derek Molter
Term:
10 years
Method:
Appointed
Level:
State
Oath Administered By:
Governor or Senior Justice
Role Overview
Interprets state constitution and laws, hears appeals, supervises lower courts, and issues opinions on significant legal matters in Indiana.
Constitutional Mandate:
Upholds federal justice (U.S. Const. Art. III).
Key Competencies:
Judicial expertise, impartiality, and legal knowledge.
Potential Weaknesses:
• Lack of Diversity: The court has faced criticism for limited perspectives due to homogeneous backgrounds (e.g., all current justices appointed by Republican governors, lack of racial or educational diversity), which may hinder comprehensive legal interpretations in a diverse state.
• Political Bias or Appearance of Impropriety: Heavy Republican tilt could raise perceptions of partisanship, risking public confidence, especially in politically sensitive cases.
• Ethical Lapses or Misconduct: Failures in upholding the Code of Judicial Conduct, such as conflicts of interest or impropriety, could lead to scandals, as seen in lower court disciplines that reflect on Supreme Court oversight.