United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Court name	United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Established	16 June 1891
Location	Lewis F. Powell Jr. United States Courthouse, Richmond, Virginia
Authority	U.S. Constitution, U.S. Code
Appeals from	District courts in the Fourth Circuit
Terms	Life tenure
Positions	15
Chiefjudgename	Albert Diaz
Website	http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal appellate court with jurisdiction over five states and two territories. It hears appeals from the district courts within Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia and the United States Virgin Islands. The court is based at the Lewis F. Powell Jr. United States Courthouse in Richmond, Virginia, and is known for its influential rulings on issues ranging from national security to civil rights.

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. Initially encompassing a larger region, its modern jurisdiction was largely shaped by the reorganization of the federal judiciary in the early 20th century. Historically, the Fourth Circuit has been a forum for pivotal cases arising from the American Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and significant federal actions. Landmark cases have involved interpretations of the Espionage Act of 1917, challenges to the Affordable Care Act, and disputes over the Chesapeake Bay's environmental regulations. The court's history is deeply intertwined with the legal and social evolution of the Southern United States.

Jurisdiction

The Fourth Circuit holds appellate jurisdiction over all final decisions and certain interlocutory orders from the federal district courts in its geographic circuit. This includes the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. It also reviews decisions from the United States District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands and has jurisdiction over appeals from certain federal administrative agencies and boards.

Current composition of the court

As authorized by statute, the court currently comprises fifteen judgeships. The bench includes judges appointed by presidents from both major political parties, reflecting diverse judicial philosophies. The active judges include Chief Judge Albert Diaz, appointed by Barack Obama, and judges such as J. Harvie Wilkinson III, appointed by Ronald Reagan, and A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr., appointed by Donald Trump. The court also utilizes a roster of senior judges, including notable figures like J. Michael Luttig and Roger L. Gregory, who continue to hear cases and contribute to the court's output.

Chief judges

The chief judge is the judge in regular active service with the most seniority who is under the age of 65. This position oversees the administration of the court but does not carry greater judicial power. Notable past chief judges include Clement Haynsworth, whose nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States was rejected by the United States Senate, and John D. Butzner Jr., known for his rulings during the Civil Rights Movement. The chief judge serves a term of seven years or until reaching age 70, whichever occurs first. The current chief judge, Albert Diaz, assumed the role in 2021.

Former judges

The court has been served by many distinguished jurists throughout its history. Prominent former judges include John J. Parker, who served as chief judge and was also a nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States, and Francis D. Murnaghan Jr., known for his scholarly opinions. Other notable former judges are J. Harvie Wilkinson III, who assumed senior status, and Blanche K. Bruce, though not a judge of this court, is historically associated with the region. The legacy of these judges is evident in the court's substantial body of precedent covering areas like habeas corpus, First Amendment law, and federal regulatory power.

Circuit justice

The Supreme Court justice assigned to oversee emergency applications and other matters from the Fourth Circuit is the Circuit Justice. Since the retirement of Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, the circuit justice for the Fourth Circuit has been Chief Justice John Roberts. The circuit justice reviews applications for stays of execution, injunctions, and other extraordinary writs arising from cases within the circuit, acting as a gatekeeper to the full Supreme Court of the United States. This role is rooted in the Judiciary Act of 1789 and is a critical component of federal appellate procedure.

Category:United States courts of appeals Category:1891 establishments in the United States Category:Richmond, Virginia