Judiciary of Alaska

[4] Magistrates may issue writs, marriage licenses, summonses, arrest and search warrants, and notarizations.

The Alaska legislature may change the court's procedural rules by passing an act expressing its intent to do so by a two-thirds majority of both houses.

[5] The Alaska Judicial Council also solicits opinions from Alaska Bar Association members, police officers, and probation officers concerning judges in retention elections and publish recommendations that appear in voter pamphlets.

[6] The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct makes recommendations regarding disqualification, suspension, removal, retirement, and censure of judges.

The clerk is also responsible for all case filing and calendaring, publishing opinions, and related tasks.

Alaska uses a Missouri Plan merit selection system for judges and justices.

[8] The governor appoints a justice or judge from a list of qualified candidates submitted by the Alaska Judicial Council.

All judges and justices in Alaska must stand for judicial retention elections (approval by the voters) on a nonpartisan ballot at the first statewide general election held more than three years after appointment (two for District Court judges), and periodically thereafter.

[8][7] Magistrates are appointed by the presiding superior court judge of a judicial district.