Judiciary of American Samoa

[9] The High Court consists of three divisions: trial, land and titles, and appellate.

[14] The District Court hears matters such as misdemeanor offenses, civil cases in which the matter in controversy does not exceed $15,000 and are not related to land or matai titles, traffic cases not involving a felony, and adoptions.

[6] There are at least five associate judges of the High Court, who are appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice and confirmed by the Senate.

[16] Since the 1970s the Secretary of the Interior has appointed federal judges, usually from the Ninth Circuit, to serve temporarily as Acting Associate Justices in the appellate division of the High Court of American Samoa.

There is at least one judge of the District Court, who is appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice and confirmed by the Senate, and must also have formal legal training.