(a) There shall be no less than 5 associate judges of the High Court of American Samoa, who shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice and who shall be confirmed by the Senate.
(b) The Chief Justice shall designate one of the associate judges as the Chief Associate Judge.
(c) The Chief Associate Judge shall, under the general supervision of the Chief Justice, supervise the administrative affairs of the Associate Judges and shall also perform any other duties assigned him by the Chief Justice.
(d) An associate judge shall hold office during good behavior, but he may be removed by the Chief Justice for cause. Upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65, he must be separated from government employment unless the separation requirement is waived by the Governor. Immediately after retirement, he shall be added to the panel of temporary associate judges and shall not be subject to confirmation provisions of subsection (b) of 3.1006.
History:
1962, PL 7-36; 1970, PL 11-118; 1972, PL 12-55 § 1; amd 1973, PL 13-3; 1979, PL 16-28 § 6; 1979, PL 16-53 § 1; amd 1986, PL 19-62 § 1.
Amendments:
1973 provided for confirmation of appointment by Senate.
1979 Subsection (b): deleted “of Land and Title Court” from end.
Subsection (c): deleted provision making Chief Associate Judge responsible for the affairs of the land and titles division, and deleted “judicial” in the provision that he “perform any other judicial duties assigned”.
Subsection (d): amended generally by PL 16-28; PL 16-53 added second and third sentences relating to retirement and temporary judges.
1986 Subsection (d): replaced “for a term of 4 years which may be renewed,” with “during good behavior,” deleted last sentence.
