Ninth Circuit

Ninth Circuit. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is the largest federal appellate court in the United States, both in geographical scope and caseload. Its vast jurisdiction encompasses nine western states and two Pacific territories, covering over 20% of the nation's population. The court is headquartered at the James R. Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco, and its decisions are binding precedent for numerous federal district courts within its circuit. Known for its ideological diversity and high-profile rulings, it is often a focal point for significant legal and political debates.

History

The court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1891, which created the intermediate federal appellate courts to relieve the caseload of the Supreme Court of the United States. Initially covering California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and the then-territories of Alaska and Hawaii, its jurisdiction expanded as the western United States grew. Key figures in its early development included judges like Erskine M. Ross and William B. Gilbert. Throughout the 20th century, it absorbed the jurisdictions of the former Tenth Circuit and later saw the creation of the Federal Circuit. The court's size has frequently spurred discussions, including unsuccessful proposals for a "Twelfth Circuit" to split its jurisdiction, most notably during the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

Jurisdiction

The court has appellate jurisdiction over decisions from the federal district courts within its circuit, which includes the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, as well as the District of Guam and the District of the Northern Mariana Islands. It also reviews decisions from several administrative agencies, including the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Department of Commerce. Appeals from its rulings may be taken to the Supreme Court of the United States via a writ of certiorari. The circuit's immense size contributes to a docket that includes a high volume of cases related to immigration law, environmental law, and Indian country law.

Current composition

As of the current date, the court is authorized 29 judgeships, making it the largest bench of any federal appellate court. The chief judge is Mary H. Murguia, who succeeded Sidney R. Thomas. Active judges include notable jurists such as M. Margaret McKeown, John B. Owens, and Morgan Christen. The court also utilizes a substantial number of senior status judges, including Stephen Reinhardt (deceased) and Alex Kozinski, who continue to hear cases. Judges are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The circuit's composition often reflects a wide spectrum of judicial philosophy, influencing its reputation for producing landmark, and sometimes controversial, opinions.

Notable cases

The court has decided many precedent-setting cases that have shaped American law. In *Silveira v. Lockyer*, it upheld certain firearm regulations under the Second Amendment. The en banc decision in *Perry v. Brown* (later *Hollingsworth v. Perry*) initially invalidated Proposition 8, a pivotal ruling in the legal battle for same-sex marriage. Environmental law was significantly impacted by *Natural Resources Defense Council v. Winter*, concerning naval sonar use and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In the realm of criminal procedure, *United States v. Comprehensive Drug Testing, Inc.* set important limits on digital searches. Many of its rulings, such as those involving the Travel Ban and DACA, have placed it at the center of national political controversies.

Courthouses

The court's main headquarters is the historic James R. Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco, named for former Chief Judge James R. Browning. This Beaux-Arts building, part of the San Francisco Civic Center, houses the clerk's office and many judicial chambers. The circuit also maintains permanent staffed circuit offices in Seattle at the William K. Nakamura Courthouse and in Pasadena at the Richard H. Chambers United States Courthouse. Panels regularly hear arguments at other federal courthouses throughout the circuit, including the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas and the Sandra Day O'Connor United States Courthouse in Phoenix.

Category:United States courts of appeals Category:1891 establishments in the United States Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1891