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The initial term of a new justice is at least three years, after which the justice stands for retention in an uncontested yes-no election. Subsequent terms last ten years. For more information on these elections, visit the Alaska judicial elections page.

The district courts are the primary misdemeanor trial courts, the superior courts are the primary felony trial courts although they also sometimes hear appeals from the district courts, and the supreme court and the court of appeals are the primary appellate courts. Alaska is separated into 4 judicial districts.

The Alaska Supreme Court is the highest level of state court in Alaska. It hears appeals from lower state courts and also administers the state's judicial system. The Supreme Court includes five justices. The justices, by majority vote, select one of their members to be the chief justice.

The court consists of five justices, one of whom is internally chosen to serve as chief justice for a three-year term. The justices are appointed by the governor of Alaska from slates of candidates approved by the Alaska Judicial Council, an independent commission of Alaskan lawyers and lay citizens.

The Superior Court of Alaska is the trial court of general jurisdiction; the Alaska Court of Appeals hears criminal appeals; and the Alaska Supreme Court is the highest appellate court, hearing primarily civil cases.