"Supreme Court of the District of Columbia" redirects here. For the court of last resort for the District of Columbia, see District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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.[1]
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
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.
^Appointed Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on June 11, 2013, by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. He retains his commission as a United States District Court Judge. The appointment takes effect July 1, 2013. Kathleen Arberg (June 11, 2013). "Press Releases – 06/11/13 – Supreme Court of the United States". The Supreme Court of the United States. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
^Recess appointment; Wylie was formally nominated January 5, 1864 and was confirmed January 20, receiving his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment; James was formally nominated on December 1, 1879, confirmed by the Senate December 10, 1879 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment; Merrick was formally nominated on December 14, 1885, confirmed by the Senate March 15, 1856 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment; Montgomery was formally nominated on December 20, 1887, confirmed by the Senate January 26, 1888 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment; Montgomery was formally nominated on December 20, 1887, confirmed by the Senate January 23, 1888 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment;McComas was formally nominated on December 6, 1892, confirmed by the Senate January 25, 1893 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment;Clabaugh was formally nominated on November 10, 1903, confirmed by the Senate November 16, 1903 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment; Barnard was formally nominated December 11, 1899, confirmed by the Senate December 19 and received his commission the same day
^Recess appointment; Anderson was formally nominated December 5, 1901, confirmed by the Senate February 4, 1902 and received his commission February 6, 1902
^Recess appointment; Stafford was formally nominated December 6, 1904, confirmed by the Senate December 13 and received his commission the same day
^Recess appointment; Hitz was formally nominated December 15, 1916, confirmed by the Senate January 2, 1917 and received his commission the same day.
^Recess appointment; Letts was formally nominated December 15, 1931, confirmed by the Senate February 17, 1932 and received his commission February 20, 1932.
^Recess appointment; O'Donoghue was formally nominated December 15, 1931, confirmed by the Senate January 26, 1932 and received his commission February 23, 1932.
^Recess appointment; Keech was formally nominated January 8, 1947, confirmed by the Senate January 22 and received his commission January 24.
^Recess appointment; Curran was formally nominated January 8, 1947, confirmed by the Senate February 3 and received his commission February 5.
^Recess appointment; Tamm was formally nominated January 13, 1949, confirmed by the Senate March 29 and received his commission April 1.
^Recess appointment; Kirkland was formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate March 8 and received his commission March 9.
^Recess appointment; Matthews was formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate April 4, 1950 and received his commission April 7, 1950.
^Recess appointment; McLaughlin was formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate February 27, 1950 and received his commission March 1, 1950.
^Recess appointment; Bastian was formally nominated November 27, 1950, confirmed by the Senate December 14, 1950 and received his commission December 22, 1950.
^Recess appointment; Hart was formally nominated January 17, 1959, confirmed by the Senate September 9 and received his commission September 10.
^Recess appointment; Robinson was formally nominated February 3, 1964 confirmed by the Senate July 1, 1964 and received his commission July 2, 1964.