Final answer:
When the term of an appellate court judge ends, they may be re-elected or replaced depending on the jurisdiction. Appellate judges are elected in some states like Michigan and appointed for life in federal courts. The succession or election process ensures continuity in the appellate system.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the term of an appellate court judge ends, several scenarios may occur depending on the jurisdiction. For instance, in the state of Michigan, appellate court judges are elected and serve fixed terms. If the term of an appellate judge expires, they may either be re-elected for a new term or a successor will be elected by the public. Additionally, if a judge retires or passes away before the term ends, a replacement is appointed by the governor to serve until the next scheduled election. In federal courts, judges are appointed for life and thus do not have terms that expire in the same way as elected state judges.
Appellate judges are integral in the judicial system, hearing cases on appeal from lower courts. They assess the application of the law and can affirm, reverse, or remand decisions. After oral arguments, appellate judges convene in private conferences to cast votes and deliberate on cases before issuing a public decision.
When their term ends, if no resident judge is contesting for the position or there is no re-election, the seat becomes available for a new election cycle. If the court is in the process of deliberating a case during this transition, the sitting judges will typically conclude their casework before stepping down or being replaced.