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United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island 

early 20th century postcard of Federal Building (Providence, Rhode Island)
early 20th century postcard of Federal Building (Providence, Rhode Island)

The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Rhode Island. The District Court was created in 1790 when Rhode Island ratified the Constitution. The Federal Courthouse was built in 1908

The United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court. The current United States Attorney is Robert Clark Corrente.

Contents

Legislative History

The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island was established on June 23, 1790 by 1 Stat. 128. Congress authorized one judgeship for the Court, and assigned the district to the Eastern Circuit. On February 13, 1801, the outgoing lame duck Federalist-controlled Congress passed the controversial Judiciary Act of 1801 which reassigned the District of Rhode Island to the First Circuit.

The incoming Congress repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801, but in the Judiciary Act of 1802, Congress again assigned the District of Rhode Island to the First Circuit.

A second seat on the Court was created on March 18, 1966 by 80 Stat. 75. A third seat was added on July 10, 1984 by 98 Stat. 333.

Current composition of the court

As of 2006, the judges on the court are:

# Title Judge Duty station Born Term of service Appointed by
Active Chief Senior
21 Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi Providence, RI 1950 1994–present 2006- — Clinton
22 District Judge William E. Smith Providence, RI 1959 2002–present — — G.W. Bush
20 Senior District Judge Ernest C. Torres Providence, RI 1941 1987–2006 1999–2006 2006— Reagan
19 Senior District Judge Ronald Rene Lagueux Providence, RI 1931 1986-2001 1992-1999 2001-present Reagan
17 Senior District Judge (inactive) Francis Joseph Boyle Providence, RI 1927 1977-1992 1982-1992 1992-present Carter

The current Magistrate Judges for the District of Rhode Island are David L. Martin, Lincoln D. Almond, and senior magistrate judges Jacob Hagopian and Robert W. Lovegreen.

Pending nominations

There is currently one vacancy on the court.

List of former judges

# Judge State Born/Died Active service Term as Chief Judge Senior status Appointed by Reason for
termination
1 Henry Marchant RI 1741–1796 1790-1796 (none) (none) Washington death
2 Benjamin Bourne RI 1755–1808 1796-1801 (none) (none) Washington elevation to Circuit Court
3 David Leonard Barnes RI 1760–1812 1801-1812 (none) (none) Jefferson death
4 David Howell RI 1747–1824 1812-1824 (none) (none) Madison death
5 John Pitman RI 1785–1864 1824-1864 (none) (none) Monroe death
6 Jonathan Russell Bullock RI 1815-1899 1865-1869 (none) (none) Lincoln resignation
7 John Power Knowles RI 1808-1887 1869-1881 (none) (none) Grant resignation
8 LeBaron Bradford Colt RI 1846-1924 1881-1884 (none) (none) Garfield elevation to Circuit Court
9 George Moulton Carpenter RI 1844-1896 1884-1896 (none) (none) Arthur death
10 Arthur Lewis Brown RI 1854-1928 1896-1927 (none) (none) Cleveland retirement
11 Ira Lloyd Letts RI 1889-1947 11928-1935 (none) (none) Coolidge resignation
12 John Christopher Mahoney RI 1882-1952 1935-1940 (none) (none) F. Roosevelt elevation to Circuit Court
13 John Patrick Hartigan RI 1887-1968 1940-1951 (none) (none) F. Roosevelt elevation to Circuit Court
14 Edward Lawrence Leahy RI 1886-1953 1950-1953 (none) (none) Truman death
15 Edward William Day RI 1901-1985 1953-1976 1966-1971 1976-1985 Eisenhower death
16 Raymond James Pettine RI 1912-2003 1966-1982 1971-1982 1982-2003 Johnson death
18 Bruce Marshall Selya RI 1934-present 1982-1986 (none) (none) Reagan elevation to Circuit Court

External links
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