Tenure and removal of judicial officers
Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term
The tenure, that all commission officers shall by law have in their offices, shall be expressed in their respective commissions. All judicial officers, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, shall hold their offices during good behavior, excepting such concerning whom there is different provision made in this constitution: provided nevertheless, the governor, with consent of the council, may remove them upon the address of both houses of the legislature.
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [For tenure, etc., of judges, see Amendments, Art. XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2 and The Referendum, III, sec. 2.]
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [For retirement of judicial officers, see Amendments, Art. LVIII.]
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [For removal of justices of the peace and notaries public, see Amendments, Art. XXXVII.]
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [Annulled by Amendments, Art. XCVIII.]
Simplified explanation
Annulled: This article required each commission officer's tenure to be expressed in his commission, and let judicial officers hold office during good behavior, though the governor, with consent of the council, could remove them upon the address of both houses. A note says Amendments, Art. XCVIII annulled it.