United States District Court for the District of Columbia

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (in case citations, D.D.C.) is a federal district court in Washington, D.C. Along with the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii and the High Court of American Samoa, it also sometimes handles federal issues that arise in the territory of American Samoa, which has no local federal court or territorial court.[1]

United States District Court for the District of Columbia
(D.D.C.)
Location of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
LocationE. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
Appeals toDistrict of Columbia Circuit
EstablishedMarch 3, 1863
Judges15
Chief JudgeJames Boasberg
Officers of the court
U.S. AttorneyMatthew M. Graves
U.S. MarshalLamont Ruffin (acting)
www.dcd.uscourts.gov

Appeals from the District Court are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit except for patent claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit.

The current United States Attorney for the District of Columbia is Matthew M. Graves, who was sworn into office on November 5, 2021.[2]

History

edit
E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse at 333 Constitution Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C.

The court was established by Congress in 1863 as the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, replacing the abolished circuit and district courts of the District of Columbia that had been in place since 1801. The court consisted of four justices, including a chief justice, and was granted the same powers and jurisdiction as the earlier circuit court. Any of the justices could convene a United States circuit court or a local criminal court. In 1936, Congress renamed the court the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia. Its current name was adopted in 1948, and from then on justices were known as judges.[3]

Originally housed in the former District of Columbia City Hall, the court now sits in the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse located at 333 Constitution Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C. The District has no local district attorney or equivalent, and so local prosecutorial matters also fall into the jurisdiction of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Assistant United States attorneys (AUSAs) are tasked with prosecution of not only federal crimes but also crimes that would normally be left to the state prosecutor's discretion. The District Court has the largest U.S. Attorney's Office in the nation, with around 250 assistant U.S. attorneys.

Current judges

edit

As of February 1, 2024:

#TitleJudgeDuty stationBornTerm of serviceAppointed by
ActiveChiefSenior
98Chief JudgeJames BoasbergWashington, D.C.19632011–present2023–presentObama
100District JudgeRudolph ContrerasWashington, D.C.19622012–presentObama
102District JudgeChristopher R. CooperWashington, D.C.19662014–presentObama
103District JudgeTanya ChutkanWashington, D.C.19622014–presentObama
104District JudgeRandolph MossWashington, D.C.19612014–presentObama
105District JudgeAmit MehtaWashington, D.C.19712014–presentObama
106District JudgeTimothy J. KellyWashington, D.C.19692017–presentTrump
107District JudgeTrevor N. McFaddenWashington, D.C.19782017–presentTrump
108District JudgeDabney L. FriedrichWashington, D.C.19672017–presentTrump
109District JudgeCarl J. NicholsWashington, D.C.19702019–presentTrump
111District JudgeJia M. CobbWashington, D.C.19802021–presentBiden
112District JudgeAna C. ReyesWashington, D.C.19742023–presentBiden
113District JudgeLoren AliKhanWashington, D.C.19832023–presentBiden
114District JudgevacantWashington, D.C.
115District JudgevacantWashington, D.C.
74Senior JudgeJoyce Hens Greeninactive19281979–19951995–presentCarter
77Senior JudgeThomas F. Hoganinactive19381982–20082001–20082008–presentReagan
81Senior JudgeRoyce LamberthWashington, D.C.
San Antonio, Texas[Note 1]
19431987–20132008–20132013–presentReagan
83Senior JudgePaul L. FriedmanWashington, D.C.19441994–20092009–presentClinton
85Senior JudgeEmmet G. SullivanWashington, D.C.19471994–20212021–presentClinton
88Senior JudgeColleen Kollar-KotellyWashington, D.C.19431997–20232023–presentClinton
89Senior JudgeHenry H. Kennedy Jr.inactive19481997–20112011–presentClinton
90Senior JudgeRichard W. Robertsinactive19531998–20162013–20162016–presentClinton
91Senior JudgeEllen Segal Huvelleinactive19481999–20142014–presentClinton
92Senior JudgeReggie WaltonWashington, D.C.19492001–20152015–presentG.W. Bush
93Senior JudgeJohn D. BatesWashington, D.C.19462001–20142014–presentG.W. Bush
94Senior JudgeRichard J. LeonWashington, D.C.19492002–20162016–presentG.W. Bush
95Senior JudgeRosemary M. Collyerinactive19452002–20162016–presentG.W. Bush
96Senior JudgeBeryl HowellWashington, D.C.19562010–20242016–20232024–presentObama
99Senior JudgeAmy Berman JacksonWashington, D.C.19542011–20232023–presentObama
  1. ^ Judge Lamberth has sat with the Western District of Texas for several months each year since 2015.

Vacancies and pending nominations

edit
SeatPrior judge's duty stationSeat last held byVacancy reasonDate of vacancyNomineeDate of nomination
14Washington, D.C.Florence Y. PanElevationSeptember 28, 2022Sparkle L. SooknananFebruary 27, 2024
12Beryl HowellSenior statusFebruary 1, 2024Amir AliFebruary 1, 2024

Former judges

edit
#JudgeStateBorn–diedActive serviceChief JudgeSenior statusAppointed byReason for
termination
1David Kellogg CartterDC1812–18871863–18871863–1887 Lincolndeath
2George P. FisherDC1817–18991863–1870 Lincolnresignation
3Abram B. OlinDC1808–18791863–1879 Lincolnretirement
4Andrew WylieDC1814–19051863[Note 1]
1863–1885[Note 2]
Lincoln
Lincoln
confirmation reconsidered
retirement
5David Campbell HumphreysDC1817–18791870–1879 Grantdeath
6Arthur MacArthur Sr.DC1815–18961870–1887 Grantretirement
7Alexander Burton HagnerDC1826–19151879–1903 Hayesretirement
8Walter Smith CoxDC1826–19021879–1899 Hayesretirement
9Charles Pinckney JamesDC1818–18991879–1892[Note 3] Hayesretirement
10William Matthews MerrickDC1818–18891885–1889[Note 4] Clevelanddeath
11Martin V. MontgomeryDC1840–18981887–1892[Note 5] Clevelandresignation
12Edward Franklin BinghamDC1828–19071887–1903[Note 6]1887–1903 Clevelandretirement
13Andrew Coyle BradleyDC1844–19021889–1902B. Harrisondeath
14Louis E. McComasDC1846–19071892–1899[Note 7]B. Harrisonresignation
15Charles Cleaves ColeDC1841–19051893–1901B. Harrisonresignation
16Harry M. ClabaughDC1856–19141899–1903 McKinleyappointment as chief justice
16.1Harry M. ClabaughDC1856–19141903–1914[Note 8]1903–1914T. Rooseveltdeath
17Job BarnardDC1844–19231899–1914[Note 9] McKinleyretirement
18Thomas H. AndersonDC1848–19161901–1916[Note 10] McKinley[Note 11]
T. Roosevelt[Note 12]
death
19Ashley Mulgrave GouldDC1859–19211902–1921T. Rooseveltdeath
20Jeter Connelly PritchardDC1857–19211903–1904T. Rooseveltelevation to 4th Cir.
21Daniel Thew WrightDC1864–19431903–1914T. Rooseveltresignation
22Wendell Phillips StaffordDC1861–19531904–1931[Note 13]T. Rooseveltretirement
23J. Harry CovingtonDC1870–19421914–19181914–1918 Wilsonresignation
24Walter I. McCoyDC1859–19331914–1918 Wilsonappointment as chief justice
24.1Walter I. McCoyDC1859–19331918–19291918–1929 Wilsonretirement
25Frederick Lincoln SiddonsDC1864–19311915–1931 Wilsondeath
26William HitzDC1872–19351916–1931[Note 14] Wilsonelevation to D.C. Cir.
27Thomas Jennings BaileyDC1867–19631918–19501950–1963 Wilsondeath
28Adolph A. Hoehling Jr.DC1868–19411921–1927 Hardingresignation
29Peyton GordonDC1870–19461928–19411941–1946 Coolidgedeath
30Alfred Adams WheatDC1867–19431929–1930 Hooverappointment as chief justice
30.1Alfred Adams WheatDC1867–19431930–19411930–19411941–1943 Hooverdeath
31Jesse Corcoran AdkinsDC1879–19551930–19461946–1955 Hooverdeath
32Oscar Raymond LuhringDC1879–19441930–1944 Hooverdeath
33Joseph Winston CoxDC1875–19391930–1939 Hooverdeath
34James McPherson ProctorDC1882–19531931–1948 Hooverelevation to D.C. Cir.
35F. Dickinson LettsDC1875–19651931–1961[Note 15]1958–19591961–1965 Hooverdeath
36Daniel William O'DonoghueDC1876–19481931–1946[Note 16]1946–1948 Hooverdeath
37Bolitha James LawsDC1891–19581938–1945F. Rooseveltappointment as chief justice
37.1Bolitha James LawsDC1891–19581945–19481945–1948F. Rooseveltappointment as district judge
37.2Bolitha James LawsDC1891–19581948–19581948–1958operation of lawdeath
38Thomas Alan GoldsboroughDC1877–19511939–1951F. Rooseveltdeath
39James Ward MorrisDC1890–19601939–1960F. Rooseveltdeath
40David Andrew PineDC1891–19701940–19651959–19611965–1970F. Rooseveltdeath
41Matthew Francis McGuireDC1898–19861941–19661961–19661966–1986F. Rooseveltdeath
42Edward C. EicherDC1878–19441942–19441942–1944F. Rooseveltdeath
43Henry Albert SchweinhautDC1902–19701944–19561956–1970F. Rooseveltdeath
44Alexander HoltzoffDC1886–19691945–19671967–1969 Trumandeath
45Richmond Bowling KeechDC1896–19861946–1966[Note 17]19661966–1986 Trumandeath
46Edward Matthew CurranDC1903–19881946–1971[Note 18]1966–19711971–1988 Trumandeath
47Edward Allen TammDC1906–19851948–1965[Note 19] Trumanelevation to D.C. Cir.
48James Robert KirklandDC1903–19581949–1958[Note 20] Trumandeath
49Burnita Shelton MatthewsDC1894–19881949–1968[Note 21]1968–1988 Trumandeath
50Charles F. McLaughlinDC1887–19761949–1964[Note 22]1964–1976 Trumandeath
51Walter M. BastianDC1891–19751950–1954[Note 23] Trumanelevation to D.C. Cir.
52Luther YoungdahlDC1896–19781951–19661966–1978 Trumandeath
53Joseph Charles McGarraghyDC1897–19751954–19671967–1975 Eisenhowerdeath
54John SiricaDC1904–19921957–19771971–19741977–1992 Eisenhowerdeath
55George Luzerne Hart Jr.DC1905–19841958–1979[Note 24]1974–19751979–1984 Eisenhowerdeath
56Leonard Patrick WalshDC1904–19801959–19711971–1980 Eisenhowerdeath
57William Blakely JonesDC1907–19791962–19771975–19771977–1979 Kennedydeath
58Spottswood William Robinson IIIDC1916–19981964–1966[Note 25]L. Johnsonelevation to D.C. Cir.
59Howard Francis CorcoranDC1906–19891965–19771977–1989L. Johnsondeath
60William B. BryantDC1911–20051965–19821977–19811982–2005L. Johnsondeath
61Oliver GaschDC1906–19991965–19811981–1999L. Johnsondeath
62John Lewis Smith Jr.DC1912–19921966–19831981–19821983–1992L. Johnsondeath
63Aubrey Eugene Robinson Jr.DC1922–20001966–19921982–19921992–2000L. Johnsondeath
64Joseph Cornelius WaddyDC1911–19781967–1978L. Johnsondeath
65Gerhard GesellDC1910–19931967–19931993–1993L. Johnsondeath
66June Lazenby GreenDC1914–20011968–19841984–2001L. Johnsondeath
67John H. PrattDC1910–19951968–19891989–1995L. Johnsondeath
68Barrington D. ParkerDC1915–19931969–19851985–1993 Nixondeath
69Charles Robert RicheyDC1923–19971971–19971997–1997 Nixondeath
70Thomas Aquinas FlanneryDC1918–20071971–19851985–2007 Nixondeath
71Louis F. OberdorferDC1919–20131977–19921992–2013 Carterdeath
72Harold H. GreeneDC1923–20001978–19951995–2000 Carterdeath
73John Garrett PennDC1932–20071979–19981992–19971998–2007 Carterdeath
75Norma Holloway JohnsonDC1932–20111980–20011997–20012001–2003 Carterretirement
76Thomas Penfield JacksonDC1937–20131982–20022002–2004 Reaganretirement
78Stanley S. HarrisMD1927–20211983–19961996–2001 Reaganretirement
79George Hughes RevercombVA1929–19931985–1993 Reagandeath
80Stanley SporkinMD1932–20201985–19991999–2000 Reaganretirement
82Michael BoudinDC1939–present1990–1992G. H. W. Bushresignation
84Gladys KesslerDC1938–20231994–20072007–2023 Clintondeath
86Ricardo M. UrbinaDC1946–20241994–20112011–2012 Clintonretirement
87James RobertsonDC1938–20191994–20082008–2010 Clintonretirement
97Robert L. WilkinsDC1963–present2010–2014
Obamaelevation to D.C. Cir.
101Ketanji Brown JacksonDC1970–present2013–2021 Obamaelevation to D.C. Cir.
110Florence Y. PanDC1966–present2021–2022 Bidenelevation to D.C. Cir.
  1. ^ Confirmed by the United States Senate on March 12, 1863; confirmation was reconsidered on March 13, 1863, with no subsequent vote; his nomination expired March 14, 1863.
  2. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1864; confirmed by the Senate on January 20 and received commission the same day.
  3. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 1, 1879, confirmed by the Senate December 10, 1879, and received commission the same day.
  4. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 14, 1885, confirmed by the Senate March 15, 1856, and received commission the same day.
  5. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 20, 1887, confirmed by the Senate January 26, 1888, and received commission the same day.
  6. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 20, 1887, confirmed by the Senate January 23, 1888, and received commission the same day.
  7. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 6, 1892, confirmed by the Senate January 25, 1893, and received commission the same day.
  8. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated on November 10, 1903, confirmed by the Senate November 16, 1903, and received commission the same day.
  9. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated December 11, 1899, confirmed by the Senate December 19, 1899, and received commission the same day.
  10. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated December 5, 1901, confirmed by the Senate February 4, 1902, and received commission February 6, 1902.
  11. ^ Judge Anderson was given a recess appointment by President McKinley.
  12. ^ Judge Anderson was nominated by President McKinley but was appointed to the Court by (i.e., received his commission from) President Roosevelt.
  13. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated December 6, 1904, confirmed by the Senate December 13, 1904, and received commission the same day.
  14. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated December 15, 1916, confirmed by the Senate January 2, 1917, and received commission the same day.
  15. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated December 15, 1931, confirmed by the Senate February 17, 1932, and received commission February 20, 1932.
  16. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated December 15, 1931, confirmed by the Senate January 26, 1932, and received commission February 23, 1932.
  17. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 8, 1947, confirmed by the Senate January 22, 1947, and received commission January 24, 1947.
  18. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 8, 1947, confirmed by the Senate February 3, 1947, and received commission February 5, 1947.
  19. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 13, 1949, confirmed by the Senate March 29, 1949, and received commission April 1, 1949.
  20. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate March 8, 1950, and received commission March 9, 1950.
  21. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate April 4, 1950, and received commission April 7, 1950.
  22. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate February 27, 1950, and received commission March 1, 1950.
  23. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated November 27, 1950, confirmed by the Senate December 14, 1950, and received commission December 22, 1950.
  24. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated January 17, 1959, confirmed by the Senate September 9, 1959, and received commission September 10, 1959.
  25. ^ Recess appointment; formally nominated February 3, 1964, confirmed by the Senate July 1, 1964, and received commission July 2, 1964.

Chief judges

edit
Chief
as Chief Justice
Cartter1863–1887
Bingham1887–1903
Clabaugh1903–1914
Covington1914–1918
McCoy1918–1929
Wheat1930–1941
Eicher1942–1944
Laws1945–1948
as Chief Judge
Laws1948–1958
Letts1958–1959
Pine1959–1961
McGuire1961–1966
Keech1966
Curran1966–1971
Sirica1971–1974
Hart1974–1975
Jones1975–1977
Bryant1977–1981
Smith1981–1982
A. Robinson1982–1992
Penn1992–1997
Johnson1997–2001
Hogan2001–2008
Lamberth2008–2013
Roberts2013–2016
Howell2016–2023
Boasberg2023–present

Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to their district court. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is specifically nominated to be chief, the office of chief judge rotates among the district court judges. To be chief, a judge must have been in active service on the court for at least one year, be under the age of 65, and have not previously served as chief judge.

A vacancy is filled by the judge highest in seniority among the group of qualified judges. The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The age restrictions are waived if no members of the court would otherwise be qualified for the position.

When the office was created in 1948, the chief judge was the longest-serving judge who had not elected to retire, on what has since 1958 been known as senior status, or declined to serve as chief judge. After August 6, 1959, judges could not become or remain chief after turning 70 years old. The current rules have been in operation since October 1, 1982.

Succession of seats

edit
  • Associate Justices Clabaugh, McCoy, Wheat and Laws were elevated to Chief Justice.
  • Chief Justice Laws was assigned to the new Seat 13 by operation of law upon the abolition of the Chief Justice Seat 1.

List of U.S. Attorneys

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-1124T U.S. Government Accountability Office. AMERICAN SAMOA: Issues Associated with Some Federal Court Options. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  2. ^ "Matthew M. Graves Takes Office as United States Attorney". www.justice.gov. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia and the District of Potomac: Legislative History - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
edit