Louisiana Constitution ARTICLE VI. LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Here’s a concise breakdown of Article VI: Judicial Power of the Maine Constitution, based on authoritative sources:
🏛️ Section 1: Courts
Establishes that judicial power is vested in a Supreme Judicial Court and any other courts the Legislature creates (law.justia.com).
Section 2: Compensation
Justices and judges receive fixed compensation during their tenure.
They cannot be paid diminishing salaries, nor can they take additional fees (law.justia.com, ballotpedia.org).
Section 3: Advisory Opinions
The Supreme Judicial Court must issue advisory opinions on significant legal questions when requested by the Governor, Senate, or House (law.justia.com).
Section 4: Terms and Removal
Judges appointed by the Governor serve 7-year terms (unless impeached or removed).
After term expiration or mandatory retirement, they may continue up to 6 additional months or until a successor is appointed (law.justia.com).
Section 5: Restrictions on Holding Other Office
Judicial officers cannot hold office under the U.S., another state, or Maine—except as a justice of the peace or member of the Judicial Council (law.justia.com).
Section 6: Probate Judges (Repealed)
Previously required that judges and registers of probate be elected every four years, with vacancies filled at elections or by gubernatorial appointment.
This section was repealed in 1967, as Maine reformed its probate court system (law.justia.com, legislature.maine.gov).
📋 Summary Table
| Section | Focus | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judicial authority | Supreme Judicial Court + Legislature‑created courts |
| 2 | Compensation | Fixed, non-diminishable pay; no extra fees |
| 3 | Advisory opinions | Issued upon request by Governor or Legislature |
| 4 | Tenure & removal | Governor‑appointed judges serve 7 years; holdover allowed |
| 5 | Dual‑office restrictions | Judges barred from other offices, except stipulated exceptions |
| 6 | Probate judge election (old) | Repealed requirement for election/term/appointment of probate judges |
Additional Context
The Supreme Judicial Court is Maine’s highest court, with 7 justices appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. It can issue advisory opinions, a notable feature among U.S. state courts (en.wikipedia.org, law.justia.com, law.justia.com).
The mandatory retirement age and holdover provisions help ensure judicial continuity while allowing orderly transitions .
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