Alaska Statutes

Alaska Stat. § 22.15.160 (2026)

Qualifications of district judges and magistrates

✓ current as of July 2026

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Sec. 22.15.160. Qualifications of district judges and magistrates.
(a) A district judge shall be a citizen of the United States and of the state, at least 21 years of age, a resident of the state for at least five years immediately preceding appointment, and (1) have been engaged in the active practice of law for not less than three years immediately preceding appointment and at the time of appointment licensed to practice law in the State of Alaska; or (2) have served for at least seven years as a magistrate in the state. The supreme court may prescribe additional qualifications.

(b) A magistrate shall be a citizen of the United States and of the state, at least 21 years of age, and a resident of the state for at least six months immediately preceding appointment. The supreme court may prescribe additional qualifications.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 8 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1970–2023 · leading case: Oxereok v. State, 611 P.2d 913 (Alaska 1980).

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Oxereok v. State, 611 P.2d 913 (Alaska 1980). “AS 22.15.160(a) provides: Qualifications of district judges and magistrates.”

Buckalew v. Holloway, 604 P.2d 240 (Alaska 1979). · cites it 2× “[22] AS 22.15.160(b) provides: A magistrate shall be a citizen of the United States and of the state, at least 21 years of age, and a resident of the state for at least six months immediately preceding his appointment.”

Stephens v. Hammersley, 550 P.2d 1268 (Alaska 1976). · cites it 2× “050(1) was enacted after statehood, a person unlicensed to practice law could be appointed a district court judge, then called a district magistrate, if a competent, licensed attorney was not available for appointment.”

Delahay v. State, 476 P.2d 908 (Alaska 1970). · cites it 2× “All interested persons including district judges sitting on September 1, 1968 may apply. The term of a district judge sitting on September 1, 1968, continues until an appointment to his position is made under this section, regardless of his qualifications under AS 22.”

Akers v. State, 389 P.3d 65 (Alaska Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “090 and AS 22.15.160(a)), magistrate judges need only be United States citizens, residents of Alaska, and at least 21 years old.”

In Re Cummings, 292 P.3d 187 (Alaska 2013). “070 (establishing mandatory qualifications for supreme court justices), AS 22.07.040 (establishing mandatory qualifications for court of appeals judges); AS 22.”

Stephens v. Hammersley, 552 P.2d 652 (Alaska 1976). “AS 22.15.160(a) [am § 1 Ch. 117 SLA 1967].”

Agnes Martina Tommy v. State of Alaska, 531 P.3d 365 (Alaska Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “29 AS 22.15.160(a); Alaska R. Admin. P. 19.1.”

— Alaska Stat. § 22.15.160(a) — 6 cases

Oxereok v. State, 611 P.2d 913 (Alaska 1980). “AS 22.15.160(a) provides: Qualifications of district judges and magistrates.”

Stephens v. Hammersley, 550 P.2d 1268 (Alaska 1976). “050(1) was enacted after statehood, a person unlicensed to practice law could be appointed a district court judge, then called a district magistrate, if a competent, licensed attorney was not available for appointment.”

Delahay v. State, 476 P.2d 908 (Alaska 1970). “All interested persons including district judges sitting on September 1, 1968 may apply. The term of a district judge sitting on September 1, 1968, continues until an appointment to his position is made under this section, regardless of his qualifications under AS 22.”

Akers v. State, 389 P.3d 65 (Alaska Ct. App. 2016). “090 and AS 22.15.160(a)), magistrate judges need only be United States citizens, residents of Alaska, and at least 21 years old.”

Stephens v. Hammersley, 552 P.2d 652 (Alaska 1976). “AS 22.15.160(a) [am § 1 Ch. 117 SLA 1967].”

— Alaska Stat. § 22.15.160(b) — 3 cases

Buckalew v. Holloway, 604 P.2d 240 (Alaska 1979). “[22] AS 22.15.160(b) provides: A magistrate shall be a citizen of the United States and of the state, at least 21 years of age, and a resident of the state for at least six months immediately preceding his appointment.”

Akers v. State, 389 P.3d 65 (Alaska Ct. App. 2016). “090 and AS 22.15.160(a)), magistrate judges need only be United States citizens, residents of Alaska, and at least 21 years old.”

Agnes Martina Tommy v. State of Alaska, 531 P.3d 365 (Alaska Ct. App. 2023). “29 AS 22.15.160(a); Alaska R. Admin. P. 19.1.”

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