United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
(S.D. Fla.)
Appeals to: Eleventh Circuit
Established: February 23, 1847
Judges assigned: 18
Chief Judge: Kevin Michael Moore
http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (in case citations, S.D. Fla. or S.D. Fl.) is the federal United States district court with territorial jurisdiction over the southern part of the state of Florida.[1]

Appeals from cases brought in the Southern District of Florida are to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (except for patent claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit).

History

On the same day that Florida was admitted as a state, March 3, 1845, Congress enacted legislation creating the United States District Court for the District of Florida, 5 Stat. 788.[2][3] On February 23, 1847, this District was subdivided into Northern and Southern Districts, by 9 Stat. 131.[2][3] The statute effecting this division set forth the boundaries of the Districts:

[T]hat part of the State of Florida lying south of a line drawn due east and west from the northern point of Charlotte Harbor, including the islands, keys, reefs, shoals, harbors, bays and inlets, south of said line, shall be erected into a new judicial district, to be called the Southern District of Florida; a District Court shall be held in said Southern District, to consist of one judge, who shall reside at Key West, in said district...

On July 30, 1962 the Middle District was created from portions of these districts by 76 Stat. 247.[3]

Famous cases that have been heard in the district include Bush v. Gore, United States v. Noriega (the prosecution of the former Manuel Noriega), González v. Reno (the Elián González case), notorious Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein, and United States v. José Padilla (the prosecution of José Padilla).

Jurisdiction

The court's jurisdiction comprises the nine counties of Broward, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie. The district includes the South Florida metropolitan area of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. It comprises 15,197 square miles (39,360 km2) and approximately 6.3 million people. Courthouses, corresponding to the five divisions of the district, are located in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Key West, Miami, and West Palm Beach. The court's offices are located in Miami.

United States Attorney and United States Marshal

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court. The current United States Attorney for the district is Wifredo A. Ferrer.

On February 12, 2014 Amos Rojas, Jr. was confirmed to be the United States Marshal.

Current judges

The Court has 18 authorized judgeships, filled by judges appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This federal district has the dubious distinction of having had more judges removed through impeachment than any other district, with a total of two, one-third of all federal district judges so removed.

The District Judges (active and senior) sitting are:

# Title Judge Duty station Born Term of service Appointed by
Active Chief Senior
45 Chief Judge Kevin Michael Moore Miami 1951 1992–present 2014–present — G.H.W. Bush
40 District Judge William J. Zloch Ft. Lauderdale 1944 1985–present 2000–2007 — Reagan
42 District Judge Federico A. Moreno Miami 1952 1990–present 2007–2014 — G.H.W. Bush
46 District Judge Ursula Mancusi Ungaro Miami 1951 1992–present — — G.H.W. Bush
49 District Judge Joan A. Lenard Miami 1952 1995–present — — Clinton
50 District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks West Palm Beach 1946 1997–present — — Clinton
52 District Judge William Dimitrouleas Ft. Lauderdale 1951 1998–present — — Clinton
56 District Judge Kenneth Marra West Palm Beach 1951 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
57 District Judge Jose E. Martinez Miami 1941 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
58 District Judge Cecilia Altonaga Miami 1962 2003–present — — G.W. Bush
60 District Judge Marcia G. Cooke Miami 1954 2004–present — — G.W. Bush
61 District Judge Kathleen M. Williams Miami 1956 2011–present — — Obama
62 District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. Miami 1955 2011–present — — Obama
64 District Judge Darrin P. Gayles Miami 1966 2014–present — — Obama
65 District Judge Beth Bloom Ft. Lauderdale 1962 2014–present — — Obama
66 District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg Ft. Pierce 1962 2014–present — — Obama
67 District Judge vacant — — — — — —
68 District Judge vacant — — — — — —
27 Senior District Judge James Lawrence King Miami 1927 1970–1992 1984–1991 1992–present Nixon
30 Senior District Judge William Hoeveler inactive 1922 1977–1991 — 1991–present Carter
31 Senior District Judge Jose Alejandro Gonzalez, Jr. Ft. Lauderdale 1931 1978–1996 — 1996–present Carter
41 Senior District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp inactive 1932 1986–2000 — 2000–present Reagan
43 Senior District Judge Donald L. Graham Miami 1948 1991–2013 — 2013–present G.H.W. Bush
48 Senior District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley West Palm Beach 1943 1994–2009 — 2009–present Clinton
51 Senior District Judge Alan Stephen Gold inactive 1944 1997–2010 — 2010–present Clinton
53 Senior District Judge Patricia A. Seitz Miami 1946 1998–2012 — 2012–present Clinton
55 Senior District Judge Paul Huck Miami 1940 2000–2010 — 2010–present Clinton
59 Senior District Judge James I. Cohn Ft. Lauderdale 1948 2003–2016 — 2016–present G.W. Bush

Vacancies and pending nominations

Seat Seat last held by Vacancy reason Date of vacancy Nominee Date of nomination
9 Robin S. Rosenbaum appointment to 11th Cir. June 2, 2014 Mary Barzee Flores February 26, 2015
24 James I. Cohn Senior Status August 5, 2016 – –

Former judges

# Judge State Born–died Active service Chief Judge Senior status Appointed by Reason for
termination
1 Marvin, WilliamWilliam Marvin FL 1808–1902 1847–1863 — — Polk, Polk resignation
2 Boynton, Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson Boynton FL 1838–1871 1864–1870 — — Lincoln, Lincoln resignation
3 McKinney, JohnJohn McKinney FL 1829–1871 1871 — — Grant, Grant death
4 Locke, James WilliamJames William Locke FL 1837–1922 1872–1912 — — Grant, Grant retirement
5 Cheney, John MosesJohn Moses Cheney FL 1859–1922 1912–1913 — — Taft, Taft not confirmed[4]
6 Call, Rhydon MaysRhydon Mays Call FL 1858–1927 1913–1927 — — Wilson, Wilson death
7 Jones, LakeLake Jones FL 1867–1930 1924–1930 — — Coolidge, Coolidge death
8 Akerman, AlexanderAlexander Akerman FL 1869–1948 1929–1939 — 1939–1948 Coolidge, Coolidge death
9 Ritter, Halsted L.Halsted L. Ritter FL 1868–1957 1929–1936 — — Coolidge, Coolidge impeachment and conviction
10 Strum, Louie WillardLouie Willard Strum FL 1890–1954 1931–1950 1948–1950 — Hoover, Hoover appointment to 5th Cir.
11 Holland, John W.John W. Holland FL 1883–1969 1936–1955 1950–1955 1955–1969 F.Roosevelt, F.Roosevelt death
12 Barker, William JuliusWilliam Julius Barker FL 1886–1968 1940–1959 1955–1959 1959–1968 F.Roosevelt, F.Roosevelt death
13 Waller, Curtis L.Curtis L. Waller FL 1887–1950 1940–1943 — — F.Roosevelt, F.Roosevelt appointment to 5th Cir.
14 DeVane, Dozier A.Dozier A. DeVane FL 1883–1963 1943–1958 — 1958–1963 F.Roosevelt, F.Roosevelt death
15 Whitehurst, George WilliamGeorge William Whitehurst FL 1891–1974 1950–1961 1959–1961 1961–1974 Truman, Truman death
16 Simpson, John Milton BryanJohn Milton Bryan Simpson FL 1903–1987 1950–1962 1961–1962 — Truman, Truman reassignment to M.D.Fla
17 Choate, Emett ClayEmett Clay Choate FL 1891–1974 1954–1965 — 1965–1974 Eisenhower, Eisenhower death
18 Lieb, Joseph PatrickJoseph Patrick Lieb FL 1901–1971 1956–1962 — — Eisenhower, Eisenhower reassignment to M.D.Fla
18 McRae, WilliamWilliam McRae FL 1909–1973 1961–1962 — — Kennedy, Kennedy reassignment to M.D.Fla
19 Dyer, David W.David W. Dyer FL 1909–1973 1961–1966 1962–1966 — Kennedy, Kennedy appointment to 5th Cir.
20 Young, George C.George C. Young FL 1916–2015 1961–1962 — — Kennedy, Kennedy reassignment to M.D.Fla
21 Fulton, Charles B.Charles B. Fulton FL 1910–1996 1963–1978 1966–1977 1977–1996 Kennedy, Kennedy death
22 Mehrtens, William O.William O. Mehrtens FL 1905–1980 1965–1975 — 1975–1980 L. Johnson, L. Johnson death
23 Atkins, C. ClydeC. Clyde Atkins FL 1914–1999 1966–1982 1977–1982 1982–1999 L. Johnson, L. Johnson death
24 Cabot, TedTed Cabot FL 1917–1971 1966–1971 — — L. Johnson, L. Johnson death
25 Eaton, Joe OscarJoe Oscar Eaton FL 1920–2008 1967–1985 1982–1984 1985–2008 L. Johnson, L. Johnson death
26 Fay, Peter T.Peter T. Fay FL 1929–present 1970–1976 — — Nixon, Nixon appointment to 5th Cir.
28 Roettger, Jr., Norman CharlesNorman Charles Roettger, Jr. FL 1930–2003 1972–1997 1991–1997 1997–2003 Nixon, Nixon death
29 Aronovitz, Sidney M.Sidney M. Aronovitz FL 1920–1997 1976–1988 — 1988–1997 Ford, Ford death
32 Davis, Edward B.Edward B. Davis FL 1933–2010 1979–2000 1997–2000 — Carter, Carter retirement
33 Kehoe, James W.James W. Kehoe FL 1925–1998 1979–1992 — 1992–1998 Carter, Carter death
34 Paine, James CarrigerJames Carriger Paine FL 1924–2010 1979–1992 — 1992–2010 Carter, Carter death
35 Spellman, Eugene P.Eugene P. Spellman FL 1930–1991 1979–1991 — — Carter, Carter death
36 Hastings, AlceeAlcee Hastings FL 1936–present 1979–1989 — — Carter, Carter impeachment and conviction
37 Nesbitt, Lenore CarreroLenore Carrero Nesbitt FL 1932–2001 1983–1998 — 1998–2001 Reagan, Reagan death
38 Marcus, StanleyStanley Marcus FL 1946–present 1985–1997 — — Reagan, Reagan appointment to 11th Cir.
39 Scott, Jr., Thomas E.Thomas E. Scott, Jr. FL 1948–present 1985–1990 — — Reagan, Reagan resignation
44 Highsmith, ShelbyShelby Highsmith FL 1929–2015 1991–2002 — 2002–2015 G.H.W. Bush, G.H.W. Bush death
47 Ferguson, Wilkie D.Wilkie D. Ferguson FL 1938–2003 1993–2003 — — Clinton, Clinton death
54 Adalberto Jordan FL 1961–present 1999–2012 — — Clinton appointment to 11th Cir.
63 Robin S. Rosenbaum FL 1966-present 2012–2014 — — Obama appointment to 11th Cir.

Succession of seats

Seat 1
Seat established on February 23, 1847 by 9 Stat. 131
Marvin 1847–1863
Boynton 1864–1870
McKinney 1870–1871
Locke 1872–1912
Cheney 1912–1913
Call 1913–1927
Ritter 1929–1936
Holland 1936–1955
Lieb 1955–1962
Seat reassigned to the Middle District of Florida on October 29, 1962 by 76 Stat. 247
Seat 2
Seat established on September 14, 1922 by 42 Stat. 837 (temporary)
Jones 1924–1930
Seat abolished on June 7, 1930 (Temporary judgeship expired)
Seat 3
Seat established on January 17, 1929 by 45 Stat. 1081
Akerman 1929–1939
Barker 1940–1959
McRae, Jr. 1961–1962
Seat reassigned to the Middle District of Florida on October 29, 1962 by 76 Stat. 247
Seat 4
Seat established on June 27, 1930 by 46 Stat. 820
Strum 1931–1950
Simpson 1950–1962
Seat reassigned to the Middle District of Florida on October 29, 1962 by 76 Stat. 247

Seat 5
Seat established on May 24, 1940 by 54 Stat. 219 (temporary, concurrent with Northern District)
Waller 1940–1943
DeVane 1943–1947
Seat reassigned solely to Northern District and made permanent on October 1, 1947 pursuant to 54 Stat. 219
Seat 6
Seat established on August 3, 1949 by 63 Stat. 493 (concurrent with Northern District)
Whitehurst 1950–1961
Seat assigned concurrently to the Middle District on July 30, 1962 pursuant to 76 Stat. 247
Young 1961–1966
Seat reassigned solely to the Middle District on September 17, 1966 pursuant to 80 Stat. 75
Seat 7
Seat established on February 10, 1954 by 68 Stat. 8
Choate 1954–1965
Mehrtens 1965–1975
Aronovitz 1976–1988
Graham 1991–2013
Bloom 2014–present
Seat 8
Seat established on May 19, 1961 by 75 Stat. 80
Dyer 1961–1966
Eaton 1967–1985
Ryskamp 1986–2000
Huck 2000–2010
Scola, Jr. 2011–present

Seat 9
Seat established on May 19, 1961 by 75 Stat. 80
Fulton 1963–1978
Gonzalez, Jr. 1978–1996
Gold 1997–2011
Rosenbaum 2012–2014
vacant 2014–present
Seat 10
Seat established on March 18, 1966 by 80 Stat. 75
Atkins 1966–1982
Nesbitt 1983–1998
Jordan 1999–2012
Rosenberg 2014–present
Seat 11
Seat established on March 18, 1966 by 80 Stat. 75
Cabot 1966–1971
Roettger, Jr. 1972–1997
Dimitrouleas 1998–present
Seat 12
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
Fay 1970–1976
Hoeveler 1977–1991
Ferguson, Jr. 1993–2003
Cooke 2004–present

Seat 13
Seat established on June 2, 1970 by 84 Stat. 294
King 1970–1992
Lenard 1995–present
Seat 14
Seat established on October 20, 1978 by 92 Stat. 1629
Davis 1979–2000
Martinez 2002–present
Seat 15
Seat established on October 20, 1978 by 92 Stat. 1629
Kehoe 1979–1992
Middlebrooks 1997–present
Seat 16
Seat established on October 20, 1978 by 92 Stat. 1629
Paine 1979–1992
Hurley 1994–2009
Williams 2011–present

Seat 17
Seat established on October 20, 1978 by 92 Stat. 1629
Spellman 1979–1991
Moore 1992–present
Seat 18
Seat established on October 20, 1978 by 92 Stat. 1629
Hastings 1979–1989
Moreno 1990–present
Seat 19
Seat established on July 10, 1984 by 98 Stat. 333
Marcus 1985–1997
Seitz 1998–2012
Gayles 2014–present
Seat 20
Seat established on July 10, 1984 by 98 Stat. 333
Scott, Jr. 1985–1990
Highsmith 1991–2002
Altonaga 2003–present

Seat 21
Seat established on July 10, 1984 by 98 Stat. 333
Zloch 1985–present
Seat 22
Seat established on December 1, 1990 by 104 Stat. 5089
Ungaro 1992–present
Seat 23
Seat established on December 21, 2000 by 114 Stat. 2762
Marra 2002–present
Seat 24
Seat established on November 2, 2002 by 116 Stat. 1758 (temporary)
Cohn 2003–2016
vacant 2016–present

See also

References

  1. ↑ 28 U.S.C. § 89.
  2. 1 2 Asbury Dickens, A Synoptical Index to the Laws and Treaties of the United States of America (1852), p. 393.
  3. 1 2 3 U.S. District Courts of Florida, Legislative history, Federal Judicial Center.
  4. ↑ Recess appointment; the United States Senate did not confirm the appointment.

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