It begins with a historical review of judicial selection in the United States. The essay is divided into two sections, one outlining the trends in selection at the State level and the other, contemporary changes in the processes of selecting Federal judges. It contains tables which summarize current provisions for selecting judges through commission plans, partisan elections, and nonpartisan elections. It also contains tables which summarize how supreme court justices, intermediate appellate judges, and general, limited, and special jurisdiction trial court judges are selected today. The essay is followed by a summary of how each State selects its judges. Courts are listed, generally in descending order of the State's judicial hierarchy. For each judicial office, provisions are included which govern initial selection, vacancies, a judge's retention of his office, and the length of a regular term. When nominating commissions are used, they are noted. Nonpartisan elections are distinguished from partisan ones. In addition, citations to the appropriate constitutional provisions, statutes, and executive orders are provided. (Author summary modified)