Alaska Supreme Court

The Alaska Supreme Court is the highest court of the State of Alaska. Established in 1959, about six months after statehood, it has five justices selected under the Missouri Plan of merit selection.[1]

Selection

The governor appoints justices from lists provided by the Alaska Judicial Council, a seven-member commission with at least three lawyers and at least three non-lawyers. Justices must be U.S. citizens, Alaska residents for five years, licensed in Alaska and have eight years of active legal practice. Voters decide on retention at the first statewide general election more than three years after appointment, and every ten years after.[1]

Operation

The chief justice is chosen by the justices from among themselves for a three-year term, with no consecutive terms. The court sits in Anchorage monthly and in Fairbanks and Juneau roughly quarterly.[1]

Jurisdiction

The court has final state appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters. Its decisions bind all Alaska state courts and can be appealed only to the U.S. Supreme Court, and only on federal or constitutional questions.[1]

FAQs

How many justices are there? Five.

How are justices chosen? By the governor from Judicial Council lists, then retained by voters.

Where does it sit? Mainly in Anchorage.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Alaska Supreme Court

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue