Fifth Circuit

Fifth Circuit. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is one of the thirteen United States courts of appeals. It hears appeals from all federal district courts within its jurisdiction, which comprises the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The court is based in the John Minor Wisdom United States Court of Court of Appeals Building in New Orleans and is known for its influential rulings on issues ranging from civil rights to administrative law.

History

The court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1891, which created the intermediate appellate circuit courts to relieve the caseload of the Supreme Court of the United States. Its original jurisdiction was vast, covering Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The court played a central role during the Civil Rights Movement, issuing landmark decisions that enforced Brown v. Board of Education and desegregation orders. In 1981, under the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act, the circuit was split, with Alabama, Georgia, and Florida forming the new United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. This left its current composition of three states, a change that significantly altered its judicial character and caseload.

Jurisdiction

The court has appellate jurisdiction over decisions from the federal district courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. This includes appeals from the Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, Eastern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, and Western District of Texas. It also reviews decisions from certain administrative agencies and federal regulatory bodies. Cases typically come before three-judge panels, though the court may rehear cases *en banc* before a majority of its active judges. Its rulings can only be reviewed by the Supreme Court of the United States through a writ of certiorari.

Current composition

As of 2023, the court has 17 authorized judgeships. The judges are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The current chief judge is Priscilla Richman, who succeeded Edith H. Jones. The bench includes judges appointed by presidents from both major political parties, contributing to a diverse range of judicial philosophies. Notable active judges include James C. Ho, a former clerk to Clarence Thomas, and Cory T. Wilson, a former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. The court's composition often places it at the center of significant legal and political debates, particularly on issues like immigration law, environmental regulation, and gun rights.

Notable cases

The court has decided many precedent-setting cases. In the 1960s, under judges like John Minor Wisdom and John R. Brown, it issued pivotal rulings enforcing desegregation in cases like United States v. Jefferson County Board of Education. More recently, it has been active on contentious national issues. It upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act in *King v. Burwell* before the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed the decision. The court has also ruled frequently on immigration policies, such as blocking the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and reviewing the Remain in Mexico policy. Other significant rulings involve Second Amendment rights, as in *United States v. Rahimi*, and challenges to Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Chief judges

The position of chief judge is held by the judge with the most seniority who is under the age of 65. This role involves administrative oversight of the court. Historically, chief judges have included influential jurists like John R. Brown, who served during the Civil Rights Movement, and Carolyn Dineen King, the first woman to hold the position. Edith H. Jones, known for her conservative jurisprudence, served as chief judge from 2006 to 2012. The current chief, Priscilla Richman, assumed the role in 2022. The succession of chief judges reflects the evolving demographics and ideological shifts within the federal judiciary over decades.

Category:United States courts of appeals Category:1891 establishments in the United States Category:Judiciary of Texas Category:Judiciary of Louisiana Category:Judiciary of Mississippi