US state supreme courts lack diversity, with 23 states having all-white courts despite people of color making up at least 20% of the population in 12 of those states. Only 15.5% of state supreme court seats are held by people of color. Six states have a higher percentage of non-white judges than their non-white population. Women hold 37% of state supreme court seats nationwide, with 15 states having one or fewer female justices. The Brennan Center for Justice says diverse courts are critical for a fair justice system and public trust.
Black people make up about 40% of the US population. Yet when you look at the justices who make up each state’s supreme court, the amount of diversity is sorely lacking. According to an analysis earlier this year by the Brennan Center for Justice, 23 states have an all-white state supreme court, including 12 states where people of color make up at least 20 percent of the population. Nationwide, only 15.5% of state supreme court seats are held by people of color.
And justice for all:
In contrast, there are six U.S. states with a supreme court bench where the percentage of non-white judges is higher than the proportion of the state’s non-white population. These states are California, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington.
Gender diversity is also somewhat lacking in these courts. Nationwide, women hold 37 percent of state supreme court seats, although 15 states have one or fewer female justices. Currently, as of April 2020, Florida has no female Supreme Court justices, although there are two vacant bench seats to be filled.
The Brennan Center states that “a diverse court is critical to achieving a fair justice system and promoting public trust in our courts.” The report added that state supreme courts do not reflect an increasingly diverse US population.
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