Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Courts in Vermont
| More information on Vermont's state courts: |
|---|
| Selection methods Elections Salaries Federal courts |
In Vermont, there is one federal district court, a state supreme court, and trial courts of general and limited jurisdiction. These courts serve different purposes, which are outlined in the sections below.
Click a link for information about that court type.
The image below depicts the flow of cases through Vermont's state court system. Cases typically originate in the trial courts and can be appealed to courts higher up in the system.
Judicial selection process
- See also: Judicial selection in Vermont and Vermont judicial elections
Selection of state court judges in Vermont occurs largely through merit selection, or the assisted appointment method. Judges are appointed by the governor from a list of names provided by a nominating commission, after which they face confirmation from the Vermont Senate. Appointed judges face retention by a vote of the Vermont General Assembly at the end of each six-year term.[1]
To read more about judicial elections in Vermont, click here.
Federal courts
The federal district court in Vermont is the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.
Appeals go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.
Active judges
| Judge | Appointed By | Assumed Office | Bachelors | Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 21, 2009 - |
St. Michael's College, 1984 |
University of Arizona College of Law, 1989 |
||
| September 12, 2024 - |
Amherst College, 1993 |
Northeastern University School of Law, 1996 |
The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences.
- Democratic appointed: 2
- Republican appointed: 0
Judicial selection
Judges who sit on the federal district courts are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. These judges serve life terms. To read more about the judges on these courts, click here.
Bankruptcy courts
There is one federal bankruptcy court in Vermont. This court has subject-matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. The federal bankruptcy court in Vermont is:
State supreme court
- See also: Vermont Supreme Court
Founded in 1777, the Vermont Supreme Court is the state's court of last resort and has five judgeships. The current chief of the court is Paul Reiber. In 2018, the court decided 455 cases.
As of August 2025, three judges on the court were appointed by a Republican governor and one was appointed by a Democratic governor.
The following judges sit on the court:
| Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont Supreme Court | William Cohen | Nonpartisan | December 19, 2020 |
| Vermont Supreme Court | Harold Eaton | Nonpartisan | October 27, 2014 |
| Vermont Supreme Court | Nancy Waples | Nonpartisan | April 15, 2022 |
| Vermont Supreme Court | Vacant | ||
| Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice | Paul L. Reiber | Nonpartisan | December 17, 2004 |
Trial courts
Superior court
- See also: Vermont Superior Court
On July 1, 2010, the former superior, district, family, and environmental courts were unified into the Vermont Superior Court. The court includes five divisions—civil, criminal, environmental, family, and probate—and has a superior court unit in each of Vermont's 14 counties. The chief superior court judge is responsible for assigning judges to units and divisions for a set period of time, generally one year. Depending on the unit, judges may be assigned to hear cases in one or multiple divisions.[2][3]
Civil division
Each of Vermont's 14 superior court units has a civil division. Judges in the civil division are appointed. The civil division has limited jurisdiction over civil cases and small claims matters. The civil division also has appellate jurisdiction over the probate division.[3][4]
Criminal division
Each of Vermont's 14 superior court units has a criminal division (also known as criminal court). Judges in the criminal division are appointed. The criminal division has limited jurisdiction over criminal cases and approves or denies search and arrest warrants. The criminal division also has appellate jurisdiction over the judicial bureau.[3][5]
Environmental division
The environment division is the only superior court division that is not represented in each of the 14 superior court units throughout Vermont; it is a statewide division. Two judges are appointed to the environmental division and travel throughout the state to hear cases regarding municipal and state land use. The division hears appeals from zoning, planning, and review boards and appeals of land use and jurisdictional decisions made under Act 250. It also hears enforcement requests on land use at the state and municipal level.[3][6]
Family division
Each of Vermont's 14 superior court units has a family division (also known as family court). Judges in the family division are appointed. The family division has jurisdiction over proceedings to end marriages and civil partnerships; the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support and other parentage actions; and what to do with minors who are found to be delinquent or abused and neglected.[3][7]
Probate division
Each of Vermont's 14 superior court units has a probate division. Judges in the probate division are elected to four-year terms. The probate division has jurisdiction over adoptions, emancipation, and guardianship; birth, death, and marriage records; and the probate of wills and estates.[3][8]
Judicial bureau
- See also: Vermont Judicial Bureau
The Judicial Bureau is a statewide court in Vermont. Its one hearing officer is appointed. The court processes civil violations issued by the state or local law enforcement officers. Civil violations are not criminal offenses. The court also hears cases when those who received civil citations deny the allegation.[3][9]
In other states
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Vermont," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Court Information," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Vermont Judiciary, "A Guide To the Vermont Judiciary," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Court Divisions: Civil Division," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Court Divisions: Criminal Division," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Environmental Division," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Court Divisions: Family Division," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Court Divisions: Probate Division," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Judiciary, "Court Divisions: Judicial Bureau," accessed March 9, 2021
Federal courts:
Second Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Vermont • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Vermont
State courts:
Vermont Supreme Court • Vermont Superior Courts • Vermont Probate Court • Vermont Judicial Bureau
State resources:
Courts in Vermont • Vermont judicial elections • Judicial selection in Vermont
| |||||||
