List of United States district and territorial courts
Encyclopedia
There are 94 active United States district
and territorial courts
. Each of the 50 states
has between one and four district courts, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
each have a district court. The insular area
s of Guam
, the Northern Mariana Islands
, and the United States Virgin Islands
each have one territorial court; these courts are called "district courts" and exercise the same jurisdiction as district courts, but differ from district courts in that territorial courts are Article IV courts
, with judges who serve 10-year terms rather than the lifetime tenure of judges of Article III courts
, such as the district court judges.
The district courts were established by Congress
under Article III
of the United States Constitution
The courts hear civil
and criminal
cases, and each is paired with a bankruptcy court
. Appeals from the district courts are made to one of the 13 courts of appeals
, organized geographically. The number of district courts in a court of appeals' circuit varies between one and thirteen, depending on the number of states in the region and the number of districts in each state.
The formal naming convention for the district courts is "United States District Court for" followed by the district name. Each district court has one or more meeting places at which it holds hearings and conducts business. Many federal courthouse
s are named after notable judges, such as the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse in New York City
or the Hugo L. Black Courthouse in Birmingham
. The largest courthouse is the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse, which serves the Eastern District of Missouri
.
The largest courts by number of judges are Central District of California
and Southern District of New York
, each with 28 judgeships. The smallest are District for the Northern Mariana Islands and District of Guam, with one judgeship each.
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
and territorial courts
United States territorial court
The United States territorial courts are tribunals established in territories of the United States by the United States Congress, pursuant to its power under Article Four of the United States Constitution, the Territorial Clause...
. Each of the 50 states
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
has between one and four district courts, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
each have a district court. The insular area
Insular area
An insular area is a United States territory, that is neither a part of one of the fifty U.S. states nor the District of Columbia, the federal district of the United States...
s of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
, and the United States Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
each have one territorial court; these courts are called "district courts" and exercise the same jurisdiction as district courts, but differ from district courts in that territorial courts are Article IV courts
United States territorial court
The United States territorial courts are tribunals established in territories of the United States by the United States Congress, pursuant to its power under Article Four of the United States Constitution, the Territorial Clause...
, with judges who serve 10-year terms rather than the lifetime tenure of judges of Article III courts
Article I and Article III tribunals
In the United States, the American legal system includes both state courts and United States federal courts. The federal tribunals may be an Article III tribunal or another adjudicative body classified as an Article I or an Article IV tribunal...
, such as the district court judges.
The district courts were established by Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
under Article III
Article Three of the United States Constitution
Article Three of the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government. The judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of the United States and lower courts as created by Congress.-Section 1: Federal courts:...
of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
The courts hear civil
Civil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
and criminal
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
cases, and each is paired with a bankruptcy court
United States bankruptcy court
United States bankruptcy courts are courts created under Article I of the United States Constitution. They function as units of the district courts and have subject-matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. The federal district courts have original and exclusive jurisdiction over all cases arising...
. Appeals from the district courts are made to one of the 13 courts of appeals
United States courts of appeals
The United States courts of appeals are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system...
, organized geographically. The number of district courts in a court of appeals' circuit varies between one and thirteen, depending on the number of states in the region and the number of districts in each state.
The formal naming convention for the district courts is "United States District Court for" followed by the district name. Each district court has one or more meeting places at which it holds hearings and conducts business. Many federal courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
s are named after notable judges, such as the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
or the Hugo L. Black Courthouse in Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. The largest courthouse is the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse, which serves the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri is a trial level federal district court based in St. Louis, Missouri, with jurisdiction over fifty counties in the eastern half of Missouri. The court is one of ninety-four district-level courts which make up the first tier of...
.
The largest courts by number of judges are Central District of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
The United States District Court for the Central District of California serves over 18 million people in southern and central California, making it the largest federal judicial district by population...
and Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is a federal district court. Appeals from the Southern District of New York are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (in case...
, each with 28 judgeships. The smallest are District for the Northern Mariana Islands and District of Guam, with one judgeship each.
Active courts
Key| Citation Legal citation Legal citation is the practice of crediting and referring to authoritative documents and sources. The most common sources of authority cited are court decisions , statutes, regulations, government documents, treaties, and scholarly writing.... |
The abbreviation used to refer to court decisions. |
| Established | The date the district court was established as a court or the date it was subdivided from a larger district. |
| Judges | The number of judgeships authorized for the district. |
| Meeting places | The number of locations at which the court hears cases. |
| Region | Citation | Court of Appeals |
Established | Judges | Meeting places |
Chief judge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.D. Ala. | 1820 | 8 | 8 | Sharon Lovelace Blackburn Sharon Lovelace Blackburn Sharon Lovelace Blackburn is a United States federal judge.Born in Pensacola, Florida, Blackburn received a B.A. from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in 1973 and a J.D. from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law in 1977. She was a law clerk to the Hon. J. O. Sentell of the Alabama... |
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| M.D. Ala. | 1839 | 3 | 3 | Mark E. Fuller | ||
| S.D. Ala. | 1820 | 3 | 2 | Callie V. Granade Callie V. Granade Callie Virginia Smith "Ginny" Granade is a District Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama. She joined the court in 2002 after being nominated by President George W... |
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| D. Alaska | 1958 | 3 | 5 | John W. Sedwick John W. Sedwick John W. Sedwick is an American lawyer and judge. He is currently a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska.... |
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| D. Ariz. | 1910 | 13 | 4 | Roslyn O. Silver Roslyn O. Silver Roslyn O. Silver is a United States federal judge who has served on the United States District Court for the District of Arizona since 1994. Silver became Chief Judge for the district in 2011.-Early life and education:... |
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| E.D. Ark. | 1836 | 5 | 5 | James Leon Holmes James Leon Holmes James Leon Holmes is a United States federal judge.Born in Hazen, Arkansas, Holmes received a B.A. from Arkansas State University in 1973, an M.A. from Northern Illinois University in 1976, a Ph.D. from Duke University in 1979, and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1982. He... |
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| W.D. Ark. | 1836 | 3 | 6 | Jimm Larry Hendren Jimm Larry Hendren Jimm Larry Hendren is the US District Judge who ruled in favor of Billy Ray and Mary Nell Counts, a couple in Cedarville, Arkansas, in the 2003 lawsuit Counts et ux. v. Cedarville School Board... |
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| C.D. Cal. | 1966 | 28 | 4 | Audrey B. Collins Audrey B. Collins Audrey B. Collins is a United States district judge.Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Collins received a B.A. from Howard University in 1967, a M.A. from American University in 1969, and a J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law in 1977. She was Assistant Attorney of the... |
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| E.D. Cal. | 1966 | 6 | 3 | Anthony W. Ishii Anthony W. Ishii Anthony Wayne Ishii is a United States federal judge.Born in Santa Ana, California, Ishii received an A.S. from Reedley Junior College in 1966, a Ph.G. from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1970, and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law in... |
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| N.D. Cal. | 1850 | 14 | 4 | James Ware James Ware (judge) James S. Ware is the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and his chambers are in San Francisco, California.- Early life and education :... |
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| S.D. Cal. | 1850 | 13 | 1 | Irma Elsa Gonzalez Irma Elsa Gonzalez Judge Irma Elsa Gonzalez is a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. She was the first Mexican-American female federal judge. She was nominated by George H.W. Bush on April 9, 1992, to a seat vacated by J. Lawrence Irving. The U.S. Senate confirmed her... |
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| D. Col. or D. Colo. | 1876 | 7 | 8 | Wiley Young Daniel Wiley Young Daniel Wiley Young Daniel is a United States federal judge.Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Daniel received a B.A. from Howard University in 1968 and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law in 1971. He was in private practice in Detroit, Michigan from 1971 to 1977. He was a Director, Wayne County... |
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| D. Conn. | 1789 | 8 | 5 | Alvin W. Thompson Alvin W. Thompson Alvin W. Thompson is a Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. He has served on the court from 1994 to the present... |
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| D. Del. | 1789 | 4 | 1 | Gregory Moneta Sleet | ||
| D.D.C. | DC United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit known informally as the D.C. Circuit, is the federal appellate court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Appeals from the D.C. Circuit, as with all the U.S. Courts of Appeals, are heard on a... |
1802 | 15 | 1 | Royce C. Lamberth Royce C. Lamberth Royce C. Lamberth is a federal judge in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, serving as its Chief Judge.... |
|
| N.D. Fla. or N.D. Fl. | 1845 | 4 | 6 | Stephan P. Mickle Stephan P. Mickle Stephan P. Mickle is an American lawyer and judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.Mickle was born in New York City. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965 and his M.Ed. in 1966 from the University of Florida, and his J.D. from the University of... |
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| M.D. Fla. or M.D. Fl. | 1962 | 15 | 8 | Anne C. Conway | ||
| S.D. Fla. or S.D. Fl. | 1845 | 18 | 5 | Federico A. Moreno Federico A. Moreno Federico A. Moreno is an American lawyer and judge. He is the current chief judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.- Early life and education :... |
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| N.D. Ga. | 1789 | 11 | 4 | Julie E. Carnes Julie E. Carnes Julie E. Carnes is a United States federal judge.Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Carnes is the daughter of Georgia state court judge Charles Carnes. She received the A.B. from the University of Georgia in 1972 and a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1975. She was a law clerk to the... |
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| M.D. Ga. | 1926 | 4 | 7 | C. Ashley Royal C. Ashley Royal Charles Ashley Royal is a United States federal judge.Born in Augusta, Georgia, Royal received an A.B. from the University of Georgia in 1971, a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1974, and a M.S. from the University of Georgia in 1976... |
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| S.D. Ga. | 1789 | 3 | 6 | William Theodore Moore Jr. William Theodore Moore Jr. William Theodore Moore Jr. is a United States federal judge.Born in Bainbridge, Georgia, Moore received an A.A. from Georgia Military College in 1960 and an LL.B. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1964. He was in private practice in Savannah, Georgia from 1964 to 1977. He was the... |
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| D. Guam | 1951 | 1 | 1 | Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood | ||
| D. Haw. | 1959 | 4 | 1 | Helen W. Gillmor Helen W. Gillmor -Early life and education:Born in Syracuse, New York, Gillmor received a B.A. from Queens College, City University of New York in 1965, and an LL.B. from Boston University School of Law in 1968.-Career:... |
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| D. Idaho | 1890 | 2 | 4 | B. Lynn Winmill B. Lynn Winmill B. Lynn Winmill is a United States federal judge.Born in Blackfoot, Idaho, Winmill received a B.A. from Idaho State University in 1974 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1977. He was in private practice in Denver, Colorado from 1977 to 1979, and in Pocatello, Idaho from 1979 to 1987... |
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| N.D. Ill. | 1819 | 22 | 4 | James F. Holderman James F. Holderman James F. Holderman is a United States federal judge. He was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1946.-Education:* He received a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois in 1968.... |
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| C.D. Ill. | 1978 | 4 | 6 | Michael Patrick McCuskey | ||
| S.D. Ill. | 1819 | 4 | 4 | David R. Herndon David R. Herndon David R. Herndon is a United States federal judge.Born in Sedalia, Missouri, Herndon received a B.A. from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1974 and a J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1977... |
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| N.D. Ind. | 1817 | 5 | 4 | Robert Lowell Miller Jr. Robert Lowell Miller Jr. Robert Lowell Miller Jr. is a United States federal judge.Miller was born in South Bend, Indiana. He received a B.A. from Northwestern University in 1972. He received a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in 1975. He was a law clerk, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana in... |
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| S.D. Ind. | 1817 | 5 | 5 | Richard L. Young Richard L. Young Richard L. Young is a United States federal judge.Born in Davenport, Iowa, Young received a B.A. from Drake University in 1975 and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law in 1980. He was in private practice in Evansville, Indiana from 1980 to 1990. He was a Public defender , Vanderburgh... |
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| N.D. Iowa | 1845 | 2 | 6 | Linda R. Reade Linda R. Reade Linda Rae Reade is a District Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. She joined the court in 2002 after being nominated by President George W... |
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| S.D. Iowa | 1845 | 3 | 6 | Robert W. Pratt Robert W. Pratt Robert W. Pratt is a United States federal judge.Born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Pratt received an A.A. from Iowa Lakes Community College in 1967, a B.A. from Loras College in 1969, and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 1972. He was a Staff attorney of Polk County Legal Aid Society from... |
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| D. Kan. | 1861 | 6 | 9 | Kathryn Hoefer Vratil Kathryn Hoefer Vratil Kathryn Hoefer Vratil is a United States federal judge.Born in Manhattan, Kansas, Vratilreceived a B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1971 and a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1975. She was a law clerk to the Hon. Earl E. O'Connor, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas... |
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| E.D. Ky. | 1789 | 6 | 9 | Jennifer B. Coffman Jennifer B. Coffman Jennifer B. Coffman is a United States federal judge.Born in Union City, Tennessee, Coffman received a B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1969, a M.S. from the same institution in 1971, and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1978... |
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| W.D. Ky. | 1789 | 5 | 4 | Thomas B. Russell Thomas B. Russell Thomas Banister Russell is a United States federal judge.Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Russell received a B.A. from Western Kentucky University in 1967 and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1970... |
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| E.D. La. | 1804 | 12 | 2 | Sarah S. Vance Sarah S. Vance Sarah S. Vance is a United States federal judge.Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Vance received a B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1971 and a J.D. from Tulane Law School in 1978... |
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| M.D. La. | 1971 | 3 | 1 | Ralph E. Tyson Ralph E. Tyson Ralph E. Tyson was a United States federal judge.Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tyson received a B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1970 and a J.D. from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1973. He was in private practice from 1973 to 1988. He was an adjunct professor, Louisiana State... |
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| W.D. La. | 1804 | 7 | 6 | Richard T. Haik Richard T. Haik Richard Theodore Haik is a United States Federal Judge.One of four children, the Honorable Richard T. Haik was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and raised in New Iberia, LA. He graduated from Catholic High School in New Iberia, LA in 1968 where he was a three-year lettermen in football and an... |
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| D. Me. | 1789 | 3 | 2 | John A. Woodcock Jr. John A. Woodcock Jr. John Alden Woodcock Jr. is a United States federal judge.Born in Bangor, Maine, Woodcock received a B.A. from Bowdoin College in 1972, an M.A. from London School of Economics in 1973, and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law in 1976. He was in private practice in Maine from 1976 to 2003... |
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| D. Md. | 1789 | 10 | 4 | Benson Everett Legg Benson Everett Legg Benson Everett Legg is a United States federal judge.Legg was born in Baltimore, Maryland. After receiving his education at the preparatory school Gilman School in Baltimore, graduating in the class of 1966, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University in 1970... |
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| D. Mass. | 1789 | 13 | 4 | Mark Lawrence Wolf Mark Lawrence Wolf Mark Lawrence Wolf is a United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.Wolf was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He received a B.A. from Yale University in 1968 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1971... |
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| E.D. Mich. | 1836 | 15 | 5 | Gerald Ellis Rosen Gerald Ellis Rosen Gerald Ellis Rosen is an American judge who was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in November 1989 and was invested in March 1990. He is currently the Chief Judge of the U.S... |
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| W.D. Mich. | 1836 | 4 | 6 | Paul Lewis Maloney Paul Lewis Maloney Paul Lewis Maloney is a United States federal judge.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Maloney received a B.A. from Lehigh University in 1972 and a J.D. from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1975. He was an Assistant prosecutor, Berrien County Prosecutor's Office, Michigan from 1975 to 1981. He... |
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| D. Minn. | 1858 | 7 | 6 | Michael James Davis | ||
| N.D. Miss. | 1818 | 3 | 7 | Michael P. Mills Michael P. Mills Michael Paul Mills is a United States federal judge.Mills was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He received an A.A. from Itawamba Community College in 1976; a B.A. from the University of Mississippi in 1978; a J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1980; and an LL.M. from the... |
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| S.D. Miss. | 1818 | 6 | 7 | Henry Travillion Wingate Henry Travillion Wingate Henry Travillion Wingate is a United States federal judge. He is the chief judge for the Southern District of Mississippi.Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Wingate received a B.A. from Grinnell College in 1969 and a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1972. He was a law clerk, Community Legal Aid, Jackson,... |
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| E.D. Mo. | 1822 | 9 | 3 | Carol E. Jackson Carol E. Jackson Carol E. Jackson is a United States federal judge.Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Jackson received a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1973 followed by a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1976. She was in private practice in St. Louis from 1976 to 1983, and was then a senior attorney of... |
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| W.D. Mo. | 1822 | 7 | 5 | Fernando J. Gaitan Jr. Fernando J. Gaitan Jr. -Early life and education:Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Gaitan received a B.S. from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas in 1970 and a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1974.-Career:... |
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| D. Mont. | 1889 | 3 | 11 | Richard F. Cebull Richard F. Cebull Richard Frank Cebull is a United States federal judge.Born in Billings, Montana, Cebull received a B.S. from Montana State University in 1966 and a J.D. from the University of Montana Law School in 1969. He was in private practice in Montana from 1969 to 1997... |
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| D. Neb. | 1867 | 3 | 3 | Joseph F. Bataillon Joseph F. Bataillon Joseph F. Bataillon is a United States federal judge.Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Bataillon received a B.A. from Creighton University in 1971 and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 1974. He was a deputy public defender, Douglas County, Nebraska from 1974 to 1980... |
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| D. Nev. | 1865 | 7 | 6 | Roger L. Hunt Roger L. Hunt Roger L. Hunt is a United States federal judge who has taken senior status. He now sits as a senior judge on the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.... |
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| D.N.H. | 1789 | 3 | 2 | Steven J. McAuliffe Steven J. McAuliffe Steven James McAuliffe is an American attorney and judge, currently Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. He was the husband of Christa McAuliffe, one of the victims of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.Steven McAuliffe graduated from Virginia... |
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| D.N.J. | 1798 | 17 | 6 | Martha Alicia Vazquez | ||
| D.N.M. | 1910 | 7 | 3 | Garrett E. Brown Jr. | ||
| E.D.N.Y | 1865 | 15 | 4 | Raymond Joseph Dearie | ||
| N.D.N.Y | 1789 | 5 | 8 | Norman A. Mordue Norman A. Mordue Norman A. Mordue , is a United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.... |
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| S.D.N.Y. | 1789 | 28 | 3 | Loretta A. Preska Loretta A. Preska Loretta A. Preska is the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and a former nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.-Background:... |
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| W.D.N.Y | 1900 | 4 | 5 | Richard Joseph Arcara Richard Joseph Arcara Richard Joseph Arcara is a United States federal judge.Born in Buffalo, New York, Arcara received a B.A. from St. Bonaventure University in 1962 and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1965. He was a Captain in the United States Army, Military Police Corps from 1966 to 1967. He was... |
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| E.D.N.C. | 1790 | 4 | 7 | Louise W. Flanagan Louise W. Flanagan Louise Wood Flanagan is a District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. She joined the court in 2003 after being nominated by President George W... |
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| M.D.N.C. | 1927 | 4 | 3 | James A. Beaty Jr. | ||
| W.D.N.C. | 1790 | 5 | 5 | Robert James Conrad Jr. | ||
| D.N.D. | 1890 | 2 | 4 | Daniel L. Hovland Daniel L. Hovland Daniel Lee Hovland is a United States federal judge.Born in Moorhead, Minnesota, Hovland received a B.A. from Concordia College in 1976 and a J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1979. He was a law clerk, Hon. Ralph J. Erickstad, North Dakota Supreme Court from 1979 to 1980... |
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| D.N. Mar. I. | 1977 | 1 | 1 | Ramona Villagomez Manglona | ||
| N.D. Ohio | 1803 | 12 | 5 | James G. Carr James G. Carr James G. Carr is a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.Carr was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He received a B.A. from Kenyon College in 1966, and an LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1969. He was in private practice of law in Chicago,... |
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| S.D. Ohio | 1803 | 8 | 5 | Susan J. Dlott Susan J. Dlott Susan J. Dlott is a United States federal judge.Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dlott received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970 and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1973... |
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| E.D. Ok. or E.D. Okla. | 1906 | 2 | 8 | James H. Payne James H. Payne James Hardy Payne is a federal judge sitting simultaneously on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma... |
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| N.D. Ok. or N.D. Okla. | 1925 | 4 | 5 | Claire Eagan Claire Eagan Claire Eagan is a district judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. She joined the court in 2001 after being nominated by President George W... |
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| W.D. Ok. or W.D. Okla. | 1906 | 7 | 10 | Vicki Miles-LaGrange Vicki Miles-LaGrange Vicki Miles-LaGrange is the Chief U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. She was the first African American woman to be sworn in as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma... |
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| D. Or. or D. Ore. | 1859 | 6 | 7 | Anne L. Aiken | ||
| E.D. Pa. | 1789 | 22 | 5 | Harvey Bartle III Harvey Bartle III Harvey Bartle III is a senior judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Born in 1941 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Chief Judge Bartle graduated from the Princeton University in 1962 and received his LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1965... |
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| M.D. Pa. | 1901 | 6 | 5 | Yvette Kane Yvette Kane Yvette Kane is a United States District Court Judge in the middle district of Pennsylvania.-Early life and education:Kane was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. After graduating high school at age 15, Kane received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Nicholls State University in 1973 and a J.D... |
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| W.D. Pa. | 1789 | 10 | 3 | Donetta W. Ambrose Donetta W. Ambrose Donetta W. Ambrose is a United States federal judge. She assumed senior status on November 5, 2010.Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Ambrose received a B.A. from Duquesne University in 1967 and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 1970. She was a law clerk to Louis Manderino of... |
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| D.P.R. | 1966 | 7 | 3 | Jose Antonio Fuste | ||
| D.R.I. | 1790 | 3 | 1 | Mary M. Lisi Mary M. Lisi Mary Mona Lisi is the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.- Early life and education :... |
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| D.S.C. | 1789 | 10 | 11 | David C. Norton David C. Norton David C. Norton is a United States federal judge.Born in Washington, D.C., Norton received a B.A. from the University of the South in 1968 and was in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1972. He then received a J.D. from the University of South Carolina Law Center in 1975, and was in private... |
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| D.S.D. | 1889 | 3 | 5 | Karen E. Schreier | ||
| E.D. Tenn. | 1797 | 5 | 4 | Curtis Lynn Collier Curtis Lynn Collier Curtis Lynn Collier is a United States federal judge.Born in Marianna, Arkansas, Collier received a bachelor of science degree from Tennessee State University in 1971 and a law degree from Duke University School of Law in 1974. He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1974 to 1979. He was an assistant U.S... |
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| M.D. Tenn. | 1839 | 4 | 3 | Todd J. Campbell Todd J. Campbell Todd J. Campbell is a United States federal judge, currently the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.- Early life and education :... |
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| W.D. Tenn. | 1797 | 5 | 3 | Jon Phipps McCalla Jon Phipps McCalla Jon Phipps McCalla is a United States federal judge.Born in Memphis, Tennessee, McCalla received a B.S. from the University of Tennessee in 1969 and was in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971, achieving the rank of Lieutenant. He received a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1974.... |
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| E.D. Tex. | 1845 | 8 | 7 | Thad Heartfield Thad Heartfield Thad Heartfield is a district judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Beaumont, Texas. He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on January 11, 1995, confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 17, 1995 and received his commission on March 17, 1995. He served... |
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| N.D. Tex. | 1879 | 12 | 7 | Sidney Allen Fitzwater | ||
| S.D. Tex. | 1902 | 19 | 7 | Hayden Wilson Head Jr. | ||
| W.D. Tex. | 1845 | 13 | 8 | Walter Scott Smith Jr. | ||
| D. Utah | 1894 | 5 | 4 | Tena Campbell Tena Campbell Tena Campbell is a United States federal judge.Born in Wendell, Idaho, Campbell received a B.A. from the University of Idaho in 1967, an M.A. from Arizona State University in 1970, and a J.D. from Arizona State University College of Law in 1977... |
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| D. Vt. | 1791 | 2 | 7 | William K. Sessions III William K. Sessions III William K. Sessions III is currently serving as judge on the United States District Court in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont and as the Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission... |
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| D.V.I. | 1936 | 2 | 2 | Curtis V. Gomez | ||
| E.D. Va. | 1789 | 11 | 4 | James Randolph Spencer | ||
| W.D. Va. | 1789 | 4 | 7 | James Parker Jones James Parker Jones James Parker Jones is a United States federal judge who currently is the chief judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.- Early life and education :... |
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| E.D. Wash. | 1890 | 4 | 4 | Robert H. Whaley Robert H. Whaley -Early life and education:Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Whaley received an A.B. from Princeton University in 1965, and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 1968.-Career:... |
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| W.D. Wash. | 1890 | 8 | 3 | Robert S. Lasnik Robert S. Lasnik Robert S. Lasnik is a United States federal judge, currently serving as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.... |
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| N.D.W.Va. | 1864 | 3 | 5 | John Preston Bailey John Preston Bailey John Preston Bailey is a United States federal judge.Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Bailey received an A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1973 and a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 1976. He was a law clerk to judge Charles H. Haden II of the U.S. District Court for the Northern... |
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| S.D.W.Va. | 1864 | 5 | 6 | Joseph Robert Goodwin Joseph Robert Goodwin -Early life and education:Born in Ripley, West Virginia, Goodwin received a B.S. from West Virginia University in 1965 and was in the United States Army, Adjutant General Corps during the Vietnam War, from 1965 to 1967. He received a J.D... |
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| E.D. Wis. | 1848 | 5 | 3 | Charles N. Clevert Jr. Charles N. Clevert Jr. Charles Nelson Clevert Jr. is a United States federal judge.Born in Richmond, Virginia, Clevert received a B.A. from Davis and Elkins College in 1969 and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1972. He was an assistant district attorney of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin from 1972 to 1975. He... |
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| W.D. Wis. | 1848 | 2 | 5 | Barbara Brandriff Crabb Barbara Brandriff Crabb Barbara Brandriff Crabb is a United States federal judge nominated by President Jimmy Carter.-Early life and education:Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Crabb received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1960 and an LL.B. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1962... |
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| D. Wyo. | 1890 | 3 | 6 | William F. Downes William F. Downes William F. Downes is a retired United States federal judge.Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Downes received a B.A. from the University of North Texas in 1968 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. He received a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1974... |
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Defunct courts
Note: Defunct courts do not include courts consisting of an entire state that were later subdivided.| Name | Citation | Established | Disestablished |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1794 | 1797 | |
| — | 1794 | 1797 | |
| — | 1794 | 1797 | |
| — | 1801 | 1802 | |
| — | 1801 | 1802 | |
| — | 1801 | 1802 | |
| — | 1801 | 1802 | |
| — | 1802 | 1872 | |
| — | 1802 | 1872 | |
| — | 1802 | 1872 | |
| — | 1804 | 1812 | |
| E.D. Ill. | 1905 | 1978 | |
| — | 1906 | 1943 | |
| E.D.S.C. | 1911 | 1965 | |
| W.D.S.C. | 1911 | 1965 | |
| D.C.Z. | 1914 | 1982 | |
| D.Berlin | 1978 | 1978 | |
Subdivided courts
| Name | Citation | Established | Subdivided |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Alabama | D. Ala. | April 21, 1820 | March 10, 1824 |
| District of Arkansas | D. Ark. | June 15, 1836 | March 3, 1851 |
| District of California | D. Cal. | July 27, 1866 | August 5, 1886 |
| District of Florida | D. Fla. | March 3, 1845 | February 23, 1847 |
| District of Georgia | D. Ga. | September 24, 1789 | on August 11, 1848 |
| District of Illinois | D. Ill. | March 3, 1819 | February 13, 1855 |
| District of Indiana | D. Ind. | March 3, 1817 | April 21, 1928 |
| District of Iowa | D. Iowa | March 3, 1845 | July 20, 1882 |
| District of Kentucky | D. Ky. | September 24, 1789 March 8, 1802 |
February 13, 1801 February 12, 1901 |
| District of Louisiana | D. La. | April 8, 1812 February 13, 1845 July 27, 1866 |
March 3, 1823 March 3, 1849 On March 3, 1881 |
| District of Michigan | D. Mich. | July 1, 1836 | February 24, 1863 |
| District of Mississippi | D. Miss. | April 3, 1818 | June 18, 1838 |
| District of Missouri | D. Mo. | March 16, 1822 | March 3, 1857 |
| District of New York | D.N.Y. | September 24, 1789 | April 9, 1814 |
| District of North Carolina | D.N.C. | June 4, 1790 March 3, 1797 |
June 9, 1794 April 29, 1802 |
| District of Ohio | D. Ohio | February 19. 1803 | February 10, 1855 |
| District of Pennsylvania United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania The following are former United States district courts, which ceased to exist because they were subdivided into smaller units. With the exception of California, each of these courts initially covered an entire U.S. state, and was subdivided as the jurisdictions which they covered increased in... |
D. Pa. | September 24, 1789 | April 20, 1818 |
| District of Tennessee | D. Tenn. | January 31, 1797 March 8, 1802 |
February 13, 1801 April 29, 1802 |
| District of Texas | D. Tex. | December 29, 1845 | February 21, 1857 |
| District of Virginia | D. Va. | September 24, 1789 March 8, 1802 June 11, 1864 |
February 13, 1801 February 4, 1819 February 3, 1871 |
| District of Washington | D. Wash. | April 5, 1890 | March 2, 1905 |
| District of West Virginia | D.W.Va. | June 11, 1864 | January 22, 1901 |
| District of Wisconsin | D. Wis. | May 29, 1848 | June 30, 1870 |
See also
- List of United States federal courthouses
- List of former United States district courts