Supreme Court of New Jersey

The Supreme Court of New Jersey is the highest court of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the final judicial authority on every case in the state court system, including challenges to state laws under the state constitution. It hears appeals, ordinarily from the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, oversees the state court system and has sole authority to prescribe and amend court rules and to regulate the practice of law. It also has a part in redistricting: when the commission that draws legislative districts is evenly divided, the court appoints its tie-breaking thirteenth member or chooses between competing plans. Seven justices sit on the court, nominated by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. After an initial term of seven years they may be granted tenure and then serve until age 70. The court in its present form dates from the Constitution of 1947, which replaced the older Court of Errors and Appeals; before that date the name Supreme Court belonged to an intermediate court. Two former members, Mahlon Pitney and William J. Brennan Jr., became associate justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.