The Court of Appeals is
the highest court in the State (commonly called the Supreme Court
in other states and at the federal level). It hears cases almost exclusively
by way of certiorari, a process which gives the court discretion to
decide which cases to hear. However, the Court of Appeals is mandated
by law to hear cases involving the death penalty, legislative redistricting,
removal of certain officers, and certifications of questions of law.
The Chief Judge, Robert M. Bell, sits on the Court along with six
other judges. All seven judges hear oral arguments on each case unless
a judge removes him/herself from a case; in this event, a judge from
another court, or a retired appellate judge, may be specially assigned
to sit in the place of the recused judge.
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