Tag Archives: Recusal

Ninth Circuit Reassigns a Case Where the Judge and Defendant Formerly Clerked Together for the Same Ninth Circuit Judge

In Creech v. U.S. Dist. Ct. for the District of Idaho, No. 24-4455 (9th Cir. Oct. 16, 2024), the Ninth Circuit grants mandamus to remove a district court judge in a case where the judge admitted a long-term friendship with one of the defendants, going back to when they were Ninth Circuit clerks. This comesContinue reading “Ninth Circuit Reassigns a Case Where the Judge and Defendant Formerly Clerked Together for the Same Ninth Circuit Judge”

Federal Judge Subject to In-Court Death Threat by Criminal Defendant Not Required to Recuse Himself from Sentencing, Holds Split Seventh Circuit Panel

In United States v. Walsh, No. 21-1220 (7th Cir. Aug. 24, 2022), a 2-1 panel holds that a federal district court did not abuse its discretion in denying recusal from sentencing a criminal defendant who made a direct and credible death threat against the judge, his family, and court employees in court. “At 71 yearsContinue reading “Federal Judge Subject to In-Court Death Threat by Criminal Defendant Not Required to Recuse Himself from Sentencing, Holds Split Seventh Circuit Panel”

Sixth Circuit Affirms Denial of Recusal Motion, But “With Some Concerns” About Judge’s Ex Parte Letter to Attorney

In Alemarah v. General Motors, LLC, No. 20-1346 (6th Cir. Nov. 18, 2020) (per curiam), the panel affirms summary judgment in an employment discrimination case, but pauses over the district court judge’s “out of the ordinary” ex parte letter to one of the lawyers. The judge’s letter was prompted by the lawyer’s reticence about stagingContinue reading “Sixth Circuit Affirms Denial of Recusal Motion, But “With Some Concerns” About Judge’s Ex Parte Letter to Attorney”