Julius N. Richardson
Richardson in 2022
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Assumed office
August 20, 2018
Appointed byDonald Trump
Preceded byDennis Shedd
Personal details
Born (1976-10-26) October 26, 1976
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
RelativesJulius B. Ness (grandfather)
EducationVanderbilt University (BS)
University of Chicago (JD)

Julius Ness "Jay" Richardson (born October 26, 1976) is an American judge and lawyer who serves as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He was formerly an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina.

Early life and career

Richardson was born and raised in Barnwell, South Carolina. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in 1999. He then attended the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as articles editor of the University of Chicago Law Review and graduated in 2003 with a Juris Doctor with high honors.

After graduating from law school, Richardson served as a law clerk for Judge Richard Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit from 2003 to 2004 and for Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court from 2004 to 2005.[1] Richardson then worked for three years at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick in Washington, D.C., where he handled complex civil litigation.[2]

In 2009, he became an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, where he prosecuted criminal cases and was Deputy Criminal Chief before becoming a judge. Richardson notably prosecuted the mass murderer Dylann Roof for his actions during the Charleston church shooting.[2][3][4][5] In ten years as a prosecutor, Richardson handled other high-profile prosecutions, including the public corruption case of a 42-year sheriff, an MS-13 murder for hire, and a substantial RICO case against a chapter of the Hells Angels.[2]

Richardson and his wife Macon have four young daughters.[2]

Federal judicial service

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

On April 26, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Richardson to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.[3] On May 7, 2018, his nomination was sent to the Senate. He was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge Dennis Shedd, who assumed senior status on January 30, 2018.[6] On June 20, 2018, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[7] On July 19, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 20–1 vote.[8] On August 16, 2018, the Senate invoked cloture on Richardson's nomination by an 80–10 vote.[9] On August 16, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by an 81–8 vote.[10] He received his judicial commission on August 20, 2018.[11]

While Richardson served on the Fourth Circuit, the Court affirmed Dylann Roof's conviction and death sentence. As Richardson served as the lead prosecutor, all of the judges on the Fourth Circuit recused themselves from reviewing Roof’s case. The case was thus decided by three judges from other courts of appeal: Judges Duane Benton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Ronald Lee Gilman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Kent A. Jordan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.[12]

Notable cases

  • Hirschfeld v. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco & Explosives, No. 19-2250, 2021 WL 2934468 (4th Cir. July 13, 2021). Judge Richardson held that several federal laws and regulations prohibiting federally licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to those 18-to 20-years-old violated the Second Amendment. Judge Wynn dissented.[13][14] The panel subsequently vacated the decision as moot after the plaintiff turned 21.[15][16]
  • Harley v. Wilkinson, 988 F.3d 766 (4th Cir. 2021). The Fourth Circuit held that an as-applied Second Amendment challenge to the prohibition against possessing a firearm for a misdemeanor-domestic-violence conviction was categorically barred. Judge Richardson dissented, arguing that individuals should be allowed to bring as-applied challenges.[17]
  • Gonzalez v. Cuccinelli, 985 F.3d 357 (4th Cir. Jan. 14, 2021). A group of immigrants seeking U-Visas sued for unreasonable delay to compel agency action. Judge Richardson rejected the challenge for the pre-waiting-list work authorizations but permitted the claims of unreasonable delay in adjudicating the U-Visa petitions to go forward.[18]
  • N. Carolina State Conf. of the NAACP v. Raymond, 981 F.3d 295, 298 (4th Cir. 2020). After a federal district court enjoined North Carolina’s voter-ID law, Judge Richardson reversed the district because it had improperly flipped the burden of proof and failed to afford the General Assembly the required presumption of legislative good faith. Using the proper burden, the evidence in the record failed to meet the Challengers’ burden to show intentional race discrimination.[19][20]
  • Mayor of Baltimore v. Azar, 973 F.3d 258 (4th Cir. 2020). The Fourth Circuit on an initial en banc held that the Trump administration's rules barring programs receiving funds under Title X from making abortion referrals and requiring separation from abortion providers exceeded HHS’s authority and were arbitrary and capricious. Judge Richardson dissented, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Rust v. Sullivan that rejected similar challenges to similar regulations.[21][22] The Supreme Court granted cert in the case but dismissed the case after the Biden administration indicated that it would change the challenged rules.[23]
  • Maryland Shall Issue, Inc. v. Hogan, 963 F.3d 356 (4th Cir. 2020). The Fourth Circuit held that Maryland's bump-stock ban that required citizens to forfeit their bump stocks or face up to three years in prison did not require just compensation under the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause because the law required the bump stocks to be forfeited, not given to a third-party. In dissent, Judge Richardson explained that this was a distinction without a difference so compensation should be required.[24][25]
  • United States v. Curry, 965 F.3d 313 (4th Cir. 2020). An en banc court of the Fourth Circuit found that officers violated the Fourth Amendment when they stopped and asked a group of men to show that they were unarmed after hearing gunshots near their location. The Court held the stop was unconstitutional. Judge Richardson dissented, arguing that the exigent-circumstances doctrine justified the stop.[26][27]
  • In re: Emerson Stevens, 956 F.3d 229 (4th Cir. 2020). Judge Richardson authorized a successive federal habeas application to address newly discovered evidence. But he also focused on the executive's power and responsibility to address contested convictions. A year later, the Governor pardoned Mr. Stevens.[28]
  • United States v. Aigbekaen, 943 F.3d 713 (4th Cir. 2019). The Fourth Circuit held a border search of the cell phone of a foreign national known to be engaged in interstate sex trafficking was unconstitutional (while affirming the conviction under the good-faith exception). The search was held unlawful because it lacked the requisite “nexus” to the purposes of the border-search doctrine. Judge Richardson concurred in the judgment, arguing that the majority’s newly-created “nexus” test was inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent.[29]
  • Guzman Chavez v. Hott, 940 F.3d 867 (4th Cir. 2019). The Fourth Circuit found that the Immigration and Nationality Act required individualized bond hearings for detained immigrants awaiting withholding of removal proceedings. Judge Richardson dissented, finding that a different section governed and did not require individualized bond hearings. The Supreme Court reversed the Fourth Circuit in Johnson v. Guzman Chavez, 141 S. Ct. 2271 (2021), citing Judge Richardson's dissent.[30]
  • Casa De Maryland v. U.S. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 924 F.3d 684 (4th Cir. 2019). The Fourth Circuit held that the Trump administration's rescission of DACA was reviewable and arbitrary and capricious. Judge Richardson dissented, arguing that the rescission was part of the executive's discretion over enforcement and thus unreviewable under the APA. Judge Richardson also found that the rescission did not violate due process or equal protection.[31]

Memberships

Richardson is a member of the Federalist Society and regularly speaks to the group.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Julius N. Richardson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 May, James Hunter (July–August 2020). "Judicial Profile: Hon. Julius Ness "Jay" Richardson" (PDF). Federal Lawyer.
  3. 1 2 "President Donald J. Trump Announces Thirteenth Wave of Judicial Nominees and Seventh Wave of United States Marshal Nominees". whitehouse.gov. April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018 – via National Archives. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ↑ Monk, John (April 26, 2018). "Trump nominates Dylann Roof prosecutor Jay Richardson to top 4th Circuit court". The State. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  5. ↑ Hawes, Jennifer Berry (April 26, 2018). "Trump nominates Dylann Roof prosecutor Jay Richardson to 4th Circuit Court of Appeals". The Post and Courier. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Fifteen Nominations Sent to the Senate Today" White House, May 7, 2018
  7. ↑ United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary: Nominations for June 20, 2018
  8. ↑ Results of Executive Business Meeting – July 19, 2018, Senate Judiciary Committee
  9. ↑ "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: Julius Ness Richardson, of South Carolina, to be U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Fourth Circuit)". United States Senate. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  10. ↑ "On the Nomination (Confirmation Julius Ness Richardson, of South Carolina, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit)". United States Senate. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  11. ↑ Julius N. Richardson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  12. ↑ Marimow, Ann (August 25, 2021). "Appeals court affirms Dylann Roof's death sentence in Charleston church slayings". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Appeals court rules firearms dealers can sell handguns to 18-year-olds". New York Post. July 13, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  14. ↑ Schnell, Mychael (July 13, 2021). "Appeals court rules 21-year minimum age for handgun purchases is unconstitutional". The Hill. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ Adler, Jonathan (September 22, 2021). "Fourth Circuit Decision Affirming Second Amendment Rights of 18-20 Year Olds Vacated as Moot". Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  16. ↑ Stempel, Jonathan (September 22, 2021). "U.S. appeals court erases ruling allowing gun sales to people under 21". Reuters. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  17. ↑ Mincberg, Elliot (February 25, 2021). "Trump Judge Tries to Create "Good Behavior" Exception to Federal Law Prohibiting Those Convicted of Domestic Violence from Possessing Firearms: Confirmed Judges, Confirmed Fears". People For the American Way. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  18. ↑ "4th Circ. Revives Claims In Crime Victim Visa Delay Fight - Law360". www.law360.com. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  19. ↑ "4th Circuit: Federal judge was wrong to block voter ID". Bladen Journal. December 3, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  20. ↑ Williams, Erika (December 2, 2020). "Fourth Circuit Upholds North Carolina Voter ID Law". www.courthousenews.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Judicial Winning: Jay Richardson". National Review. October 30, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  22. ↑ Buchman, Brandi (September 3, 2020). "En Banc Fourth Circuits Blocks Abortion Gag Rule in Maryland". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  23. ↑ Lington, Jace. "U.S. Supreme Court dismisses case challenging regulations related to abortion under Title X family planning program – Ballotpedia News". Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  24. ↑ Kunzelman, Michael (June 29, 2020). "Federal appeals court upholds Maryland's ban on bump stocks". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  25. ↑ Williams, Erika (June 29, 2020). "Fourth Circuit Upholds Maryland's Ban on 'Rapid Fire Trigger' Devices". Courthouse News. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  26. ↑ "En Banc Fourth Circuit Divides Sharply on Fourth Amendment 'Exigent Circumstances'". National Review. July 16, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  27. ↑ Green, Frank (July 15, 2020). "Full federal appeals court upholds Richmond judge in contentious search and seizure case". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Virginia Governor Pardons Man Wrongly Convicted of 1985 Northern Neck Murder | Washingtonian (DC)". Washingtonian. August 16, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  29. ↑ Bode, Aaron (December 2020). Electronic Border Searches After Riley (Thesis). Naval Postgraduate School.
  30. ↑ "Johnson v. Guzman Chavez, 141 S. Ct. 2271 (2021)" (PDF).
  31. ↑ Marimow, Ann (May 17, 2019). "Appeals court finds Trump administration's move to end DACA 'arbitrary and capricious'". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
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