Additional settlement weeks in the counties have been held, with much success, extending this option to cases filed outside Providence. The Presiding Justice of the Superior Court is the administrative judge of the court. As such, the Presiding Justice has responsibility for establishing calendars, assigning judges, appointing a Superior Court Administrator and other administrativ e staff, and making rules for the conduct of the court's business. The Presiding Justice also appoints a Jury Commissioner and all staff for the Case Scheduling Offices, and is responsible for the Superior Court Clerk's Offices. Judicial appointments are made by the Governor following recommendation of 3-5 candidates by the Judicial Nominating Commission to the Governor and confirmation by the Senate of the Governor's choice.
Appointments are for life in the absence of judicial misconduct.
Complaints about such misconduct are heard by the Judicial Tenure and Discipline Commission . The Superior Court conducts its own judicial evaluation program, distributing questionnaires about judicial performance to jurors and attorneys practicing before the court. The Clerk is the custodian of all criminal and civil cases filed in the Superior Court, a total of approximately 14,000 in 1997. The Clerk's Office is responsible for receiving and storing all documents and other materials that make up a Superior Court ca se file. The Clerk is also custodian of the Superior Court seal.