Judge, U.S. District Court

Federal

CORE PURPOSE:

Establish Justice

Quick Facts

Holder(s):

Philip P. Simon, Jon E. DeGuilio, Gretchen S. Lund, Damon R. Leichty, Holly A. Brady

Term:

Life

Method:

Appointed

Level:

Federal

Oath Administered By:

Chief Judge or Other Federal Judge

Role Overview

Presides over federal civil and criminal cases, interprets federal laws, conducts trials, and issues decisions in U.S. district courts.

Constitutional Mandate:

Upholds federal justice (U.S. Const. Art. III).

Key Competencies:

Judicial expertise, impartiality, and legal knowledge.

Potential Weaknesses:

• Caseload Overload: ~1,500 cases/year per judge leads to delays/productivity issues, risking injustices or backlogs in local federal matters.
• Threats and Safety Risks: Surge in attacks (~50% of judges report threats in 2024) endangers performance; local high-profile cases amplify this.
• Bias and Disparity: Diversity gaps contribute to sentencing disparities (e.g., higher rates for minorities), eroding trust.
• Administrative Weaknesses: Oversight failures in performance evaluations highlight temperament/diligence lapses.
• Judicial Independence Threats: Political pressures from appointments risk perceived bias, affecting impartiality in civil rights cases.

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as Judge under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God.